Monthly Current Affairs PDF December 2019 PDF

Monthly Current Affairs PDF December 2019
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S No Table of Contents Page No
1. Banking Current Affairs 2
2. Finance and Economy 14
3. National NEWS 26
4. State NEWS 52
5. International NEWS 70
6. Summits and Conferences 79
7. Ranks and Indices 82
8. Agreements and MoU signed 87
9. Appointments 96
10. Sports 99
11. Defence 106
12. Books and Authors 115
13. Awards 116
14. Science and Technology 120
15. Important Days and Themes 122
16. Obituaries 124
Page 1 of 125
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Banking Current Affairs
Vijaya Bank, Dena bank removed from second schedule of RBI Act
The Reserve Bank of India announced that it has excluded Vijaya Bank and Dena Bank from the second schedule of
the RBI Act, with effect from April 1, 2019.
 The public sector lenders were merged into Bank of Baroda at the beginning of the current financial year and, hence,
ceased to operate as banking companies separately.
Extra Shots:
Vijaya Bank Headquarters: Bengaluru
Tagline: A Friend you can bank upon
Dena Bank Headquarters: Mumbai
Tagline: Trusted Family Bank
Walmart India ties-up with HDFC to launch co-branded credit card for Best price stores
In a first, Walmart India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Walmart Inc has joined hands with HDFC (Housing
Development Finance Corporation )Bank to launch a co-branded credit card.
Extra shots:
Walmart India Headquarters: United states
HDFC Headquarters: Mumbai
HDFC Tagline: We understand your world.
Aditya Birla health insurance teams up with MobiKwik to offer affordable health insurance plans
On December 2, 2019, Aditya Birla Health Insurance Co. Limited (ABHICL), a subsidiary of Aditya Birla
Capital Ltd has partnered with MobiKwik, a fin-tech platform to offer affordable health insurance plans to mobile-
first middle-class Indian consumers who have previously never had access to insurance solutions.
They have jointly launched the first product called “Cancer Protect Cover” Plan as part of their contract. The users
will benefit from this comprehensive protection plan as it applies to all diagnostic stages of cancer.
Extra shots:
Aditya Birla Group Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka
Mobikwik Headquarters: Gurgaon, Haryana
5th Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy

 RBI has released its 5th Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy.
 Repo Rate: 5.15%
 Reverse Repo Rate: 4.90%
 MSF: 5.40%
 Bank Rate: 5.40%
Extra Shots:
RBI: The Reserve Bank of India is India's central banking institution, which controls the issuance and supply of the
Indian rupee.
 Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata
 Headquarters: Mumbai
 Governor: Shaktikanta Das
Deputy Governors: B P Kanungo, M K Jain, N S Vishwanathan
Page 2 of 125
HDFC ERGO launches my:health Woman Suraksha policy

 HDFC ERGO general insurance company, India’s third-largest non-life insurance provider in the private
sector, has launched “my: health Woman Suraksha policy”, a comprehensive medical insurance scheme
specially designed for women.
 The my:health Woman Suraksha policy is specially designed to cover women against numerous illnesses and
contingencies they may face during their lifetime, thereby providing financial aid in case of medical
contingencies.
 This policy is offered to women between 18-65 years of age and offers a sum insured ranging from Rs. 1 lakh
to 1 crore.
Extra Shots:
HDFC ERGO: HDFC ERGO is a 51:49 joint venture firm between HDFC and ERGO International AG, one of the
insurance entity of the Munich Re Group in Germany operating in the insurance field under the BFSI sector. The
company offers products in the retail, corporate and rural sectors.
 Founded: 2002
 Parent organization: Housing Development Finance Corporation
NEFT transactions to be made 24×7 from December 16

 The Reserve Bank of India announced round-the-clock transactions will be allowed 24×7 facility under the
National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) system on all days including weekends and holidays from
December 16.
 These transactions after the usual banking hours are set to be automated initiated using ‘Straight through
Processing (STP)’ modes by the banks.
Extra Shots:
Indian rupee.
 Deputy Governors: B P Kanungo, M K Jain, N S Vishwanathan
NEFT: National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) is an electronic funds transfer system maintained by the Reserve
Bank of India (RBI). Started in November 2005, the setup was established and maintained by Institute for
Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT).
RBI released Guidelines for on tap Licensing of SFBs

 Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released Guidelines for 'on tap' Licensing of Small Finance Banks (SFBs) in the
Private Sector after making few changes.
 The previous guidelines were released on 27 November 2014.
Major changes from the earlier Guidelines on Small Finance Banks are:
♦ The new guidelines stated that the minimum paid-up voting equity capital or net worth requirement should be
Rs.200 crore
♦ As per the new guidelines, licensing window will be open on-tap
♦ For Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks (UCBs), which want to transit into Small Finance Banks (SFBs), the
initial requirement shall be Rs.100 crore. It should be increased to Rs.200 crore within five years from the date of
commencement of business.
Page 3 of 125
Extra Shots:
Indian rupee.
Kerala Bank was launched by CM Vijayan

 The Kerala Bank, the biggest in the State, was launched by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on 6 December
2019. Under this, 13 district co-operative banks (DCBs) of Kerala were amalgamated with Kerala State Co-
operative Bank to form the Kerala Bank.
 he move aimed to transform the banking sector of the state.
 It was initiated by the Kerala State government to form a state cooperative bank.
 It will provide unlimited opportunities for the state.
 It will facilitate transactions in other countries with a considerable population of Keralites.
Extra Shots:
Kerala:
 Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
 Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
 Governor: Arif Mohammed Khan
 Festivals: Onam, Vishu, Thrissur Pooram, Nehru Trophy Boat Race
 National Parks: Anamudi Shola National Park, Eravikulam National Park, Mathikettan Shola National Park,
Pambadum Shola National Park, Periyar National Park,Silent Valley National Park
 Wildlife Sanctuaries: Aralam WLS, Chimmony WLS, Idukki WLS, Periyar WLS, Wayanad WLS, Peppara
WLS, Neyyar WLS, Kurinjimala WLS, Malabar WLS etc
Loans worth over Rs10 lakh cr sanctioned under PMMY

 Union Government informed that loans worth over 10 lakh crore rupees have been sanctioned till 1st
November this year under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, PMMY.
 As per the findings of the PMMY survey, around five crore persons were working in the establishments for
which MUDRA loans were availed between April 2015 to March 2018.
 The survey reveals that these loans enabled beneficiaries to sustain the economic activities they were engaged
in.
SBI reduced MCLR by 10bps

 State Bank of India (SBI) announced a reduced 1-year marginal cost-based lending rates (MCLR) by 10 bps.
 MCLR will be reduced to 7.90% from 8%.
 The new rates will come to effect from 10 December 2019.
 All the other rates remain the same.
 This is the eighth consecutive MCLR cut in the financial year 2019.
Extra Shots:
MCLR: MCLR is abbreviated as the Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate.
MCLR is the minimum interest rate of a bank below which any bank cannot lend, except in some cases allowed by
the RBI. MCLR is the reference rate or an internal benchmark set by and for the bank.
Page 4 of 125
SBI: The State Bank of India is an Indian multinational, public sector banking and financial services statutory body.
It is a government corporation statutory body headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra. SBI is ranked as 236th in the
Fortune Global 500 list of the world's biggest corporations of 2019.
 Chairperson: Rajnish Kumar
Karnataka Vikas Grameen Bank inks MoU with Canara HSBC Oriental Bank of Commerce for
bancassurance
Karnataka Vikas Grameen Bank (KVGB), an Indian Regional Rural Bank(RRB), has entered into an MoU
(memorandum of understanding) with Canara HSBC OBC ( Oriental Bank of Commerce) Life Insurance
Company Ltd for bancassurance (selling of life assurance and other insurance products and services by bank).
Extra Shots:
KVGB Headquarters: Karnataka
Canara HSBC OBC Headquarters: Gurugram, Haryana
RBI increases aggregate lending limits imposed on peer-to-peer (P2P) lenders to Rs 50 lakh from 10 lakh
 India’s Central Bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has taken a big step to promote the peer-2-peer
(P2P) sector by increasing the total loan limit among such lenders by five times to Rs 50 lakh.
 Right now the aggregate limit is 10 lakh rupees for all borrowers and lenders on all P2P platforms.
 Apart from this, a single borrower can only take up to a maximum of Rs 50,000 from a lender on all
NBFC (Non-Banking Financial Company)-P2P platforms.
Extra Shots:
RBI Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Governor: Shaktikanta Das
Vakrangee join hands with Union Bank of India(UBI) for 20,000 Banking BC Points
Vakrangee Finserve Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vakrangee Limited (VL) has partnered with Union
Bank of India (UBI), one of the largest government-owned banks of India for 20,000 Banking Business
Correspondent (BC) points for Nextgen Vakrangee Kendra.
Extra Shots:
Union Bank of India Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Tagline: Good People to Bank with.
Mastercard joins hands with Federal bank for additional digital security called ‘Mastercard Identity Check’
Mastercard,an American multinational financial services corporation has tied-up with Federal Bank, a Private
Sector, scheduled commercial bank, to provide an additional layer of security function called ‘Mastercard Identity
Check’ for digital transactions done by bank’s cardholders.
Extra Shots:
Mastercard Headquarters: Newyork, US
President and CEO: Ajaypal singh Banga
Federal bank HQ: Kochi, Kerala
Tagline: Your Perfect Banking Partner
IRDAI frames 10-member group headed by T. L. Alamelu to study loss prevention

 IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India), an autonomous body constituted to
regulate and develop insurance business in India, has constituted a 10-member working group (WG) headed
Page 5 of 125
by IRDAI member (non-life) T. L. Alamelu to make recommendations for loss prevention &
minimization in the general insurance industry.
 It should submit its report within 12 weeks.
Extra Shots:
IRDAI Chairman– Subhash Chandra Khuntia
Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka
IEPFA signs MOU with Bank of Baroda for Investor Awareness

 Investor Education & Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) signed a MOU with Bank of Baroda for Investor
awareness.
 The objective of the MoU to work towards the creation of content (IEC material) and strategic use of all
available marketing channels and brand assets with BoB .
Extra Shots:
BoB Headquarters:Vadodara, Gujarat
Tagline: India’s International Bank
RBI increases peer-to-peer lending limit from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh

 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has increased lending limit for Non-Banking Financial Company-Peer to
Peer Lending platforms (NBFC-P2P) to Rs 50 lakh.
 Until now, the cap was at Rs 10 lakh. However, the exposure of a single lender to borrower is capped at Rs
50,000.
 This means that a lender on the P2P platform cannot lend more than Rs 50,000 to the same borrower across all
P2P platforms at any point in time.
Extra Shots:
RBI Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Governor: Shaktikanta Das
Dell Technologies, UNESCO tie up to boost quality of education

 Dell Technologies announced a new partnership with UNESCO MGIEP (Mahatma Gandhi Institute of
Education for Peace) to enable school teachers adopt technology in classrooms by using ICT tools.
 The information and communication technology (ICT) tools have been developed by Dell Aarambh and
FramerSpace platform.
Extra Shots:
UNESCO Hq: Paris, France
Head: Audrey Azoulay
Nomura to acquire Greentech Capital Advisors

 Asia’s global investment bank Nomura announced the proposed acquisition of Greentech Capital Advisors, a
leading boutique investment banking firm focused on supporting clients across sustainable technology and
infrastructure.
 Greentech, to be rebranded as Nomura Greentech after the closing of the transaction.
 The transaction is expected to close on March 31 next year.
Extra Shots:
Nomura Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Page 6 of 125
Edelweiss AMC launches India’s 1st corporate bond ‘Bharat Bond ETF’
 Edelweiss Asset Management Company (AMC), a subsidiary of Edelweiss Capital Limited (ECL) has
launched India’s 1st Corporate Bond ETF (exchange trade fund) called the Bharat Bond ETF.
 The ETF is a government initiative and Edelweiss AMC was given the mandate to design and manage the
product.
 Edelweiss aims to raise an initial amount of Rs 3,000 crore through this bond from institutional players with a
greenshoe option of Rs 2,000 crore in the 3-year maturity period (2023) and Rs 4,000 crore with a greenshoe
option of Rs 6,000 crore in the 10-year maturity bucket (2030).
Extra Shots:
Edelweiss Broking Limited is an Indian Financial services company based in Mumbai, India. The company is a
subsidiary of Edelweiss Group which was founded by Rashesh Shah. The company is registered with National Stock
Exchange of India, Bombay Stock Exchange and MCX Stock Exchange.
 Parent organization: Edelweiss Group
 Headquarters location: Mumbai
 Founded: 7 February 2008
SBI inks $277 million pact with Germany based KfW bank
 State Bank of India (SBI) has signed a loan agreement worth of $277 million (about Rs 1,958 crore) with
Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) German development bank for establishing an energy-efficient housing
programme in India.
 The programme shall be part of the Indo-German Development Co-operation, guided by the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development.
Extra Shots:
State Bank of India: Founded on: As 2 June 1806 (Bank of Calcutta), 15 April 1840 (Bank of Bombay), 1 July 1843
(Bank of Madras), 27 January 1921 (Imperial Bank of India), 1 July 1955 (State Bank of India)
 Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
 Chairman: Rajnish Kumar
 SBI is the largest commercial bank and the largest mortgage lender across the country.
 SBI has 22,010 branches and 58,000 ATM/CDM across India.
RBI waives NEFT, RTGS transfer charges for savings account holders
 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has waived NEFT, RTGS transfer charges for savings account holders.
 In an order, RBI instructed banks to make all online payments done through RTGS and NEFT free of cost for
savings account holders.
 The new rule will be effective from January 1, 2020.
Extra Shots:
Indian rupee.
Page 7 of 125
ADB & India signs $490 Million loan to upgrade roads of Madhya Pradesh
 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India has signed a $490 million loan.
 The loan is signed for public-private partnership (PPP) project through the hybrid-annuity model (HAM) to
upgrade about 1,600 km of state highways and major district roads in the state of Madhya Pradesh.
 The HAM is a mix of engineering, procurement, construction, and build-operate-transfer.
Extra Shots:
Madhya Pradesh:
 Capital: Bhopal
 Chief Minister: Kamal Nath
 Governor: Lalji Tandon
 National Park: Bandhavgarh NP, Fossil NP, Kanha NP, Madhav NP, Panna NP, Pench NP, Sanjay NP,
Satpura NP
ADB: The Asian Development Bank is a regional development bank established on 19 December 1966, which is
headquartered in the Ortigas Center located in the city of Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines. The company
also maintains 31 field offices around the world to promote social and economic development in Asia.
 Headquarters: Mandaluyong, Philippines
 President: Currently Vacant
 Founded: 19 December 1966
 Membership: 68 countries
 Purpose: Economic development
Google searches for ‘Operation Twist’ surge in India

 Google searches for “Operation Twist” surged in India after the central bank announced its version of the U.S.
Federal Reserve’s unconventional monetary policy.
 Most searches for the term came from Delhi followed by Maharashtra.
 The central bank will buy long-term bonds, while simultaneously selling short-term government securities in
an effort to cheapen long-term borrowing and boost bank lending.
 The Reserve Bank of India will buy longer-tenor bonds while selling shorter debt.
 The concept is similar to Operation Twist used by the Fed in 2011-2012 in an effort to cheapen long-term
borrowing and spur bank lending.
Extra Shots:
Google LLC is an American multinational technology company that specializes in Internet-related services and
products, which include online advertising technologies, search engine, cloud computing, software, and hardware. It
is considered one of the Big Four technology companies, alongside Amazon, Apple, and Facebook.
 CEO: Sundar Pichai
 Founded: 4 September 1998, Menlo Park, California, United States
 Parent organization: Alphabet Inc.
 Headquarters: Mountain View, California, United States
 Founders: Larry Page, Sergey Brin
RBI to buy and sell govt bonds worth Rs 10,000 crore

 The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will simultaneously purchase and sell government securities worth Rs
10,000 crore under a special Open Market Operation (OMO).
Page 8 of 125
 On a review of the current liquidity and market situation and an assessment of the evolving financial
conditions, the Reserve Bank has decided to conduct simultaneous purchase and sale of government securities
on December 23, 2019.
 The purchase will be for government securities worth Rs 10,000 crore for the instrument ‘6.45 per cent GS
2029’.
Extra Shots:
Indian rupee.
HDFC Bank becomes third Indian company to cross $100 billion-mark

 HDFC Bank crossed the $100 billion market capitalization became the third firm in the country to achieve this
milestone.
 HDFC Bank has a market cap of $140.74 billion, and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) a market cap of
$114.60 billion.
 HDFC Bank ranks 110th in the list of world’s most valued companies.
 There are 109 companies on the list with a market cap of over $100 billion.
 The world's most valued banks and financial companies which have a market cap of over $100 billion, HDFC
Bank ranked at 26.
Extra Shots:
HDFC Bank Ltd. is an Indian banking and financial services company headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra. It has
a base of 111,208 permanent employees as of 30 September 2019. HDFC Bank is India’s largest private sector lender
by assets. It is the largest bank in India by market capitalisation as of February 2016.
 CEO: Aditya Puri
 Founded: August 1994, India
Bank Of Baroda Partners With Gujarat Govt To Provide MSME Loans

 The flow of credit in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Bank of Baroda signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat government.
 The credit will be provided to the MSME sector for greenfield projects, startups, women entrepreneurs, and
entrepreneurs from backward areas under the Gujarat Single Window Clearance Act 2017 & Ordinance
Number 1 of 2019 dated October 24, 2019.
Extra Shots:
BOB: Bank of Baroda is an Indian Multinational, public sector Banking and Financial Services company. It is the
third largest public sector bank in India with a business mix of close to US$225 billion. Based on 2019 data, it is
ranked 1145 on Forbes Global 2000 list.
 CEO: P. S. Jayakumar
 Headquarters: Alkapuri, Vadodara
Page 9 of 125
ADB 490 million dollars loan to upgrade Indian state roads

 Asian Development Bank and the Government of India signed a 490 million dollar loan for public-private
partnerships.
 Around thousand six hundred kilometers of state highways and major district roads from single-lane to two-
lane widths in Madhya Pradesh.
 The 286 million dollars investment mobilized through private sector participation under the PPP modality.
Extra Shots:
ADB: DescriptionThe Asian Development Bank is a regional development bank established on 19 December 1966,
which is headquartered in the Ortigas Center located in the city of Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines. The
company also maintains 31 field offices around the world to promote social and economic development in Asia.
 President: Takehiko Nakao
RBI directs large UCBs to report exposures above Rs 5 cr to CRILC
 The Reserve Bank of India has directed large cooperative banks to report all exposures of Rs 5 crore and more
to the Central Repository of Information on Large Credits (CRILC).
 The move is aimed at early detection of financial distress.
 The aggregate exposure will include all fund-based and non-fund based exposures like partial credit
enhancement, including investment exposure on the borrower.
 As per the new rules, Urban Cooperatives Banks are required to submit CRILC report on quarterly basis with
effect from December 31, 2019.
 The CRILC was created by the Reserve Bank of India.
Extra Shots:
Indian rupee.

Karnataka Bank launches tab banking service

 Karnataka Bank digital initiative launched KBL Xpress SB Accounts a digitized version for opening Savings
Bank account through TAB Banking on the spot.
 The TAB banking account opening process, the Bank can on-board the prospective customer and open the
Savings Bank Account.
 Karnataka Bank to introduce KBL Xpress SB Accounts TAB banking facility, a digitized version of account
opening.
Extra Shots:
Page 10 of 125
Karnataka Bank Limited is India's twelfth largest private sector bank. It is an 'A' Class Scheduled Commercial
Bank based in Mangaluru in Karnataka, India. Karnataka Bank Limited has a network of 846 branches, 1540 ATMs
and 330 e-lobbies/mini e-lobbies across 22 states and 2 union territories.
 Headquarters: Mangalore
 CEO: Mahabaleshwara M. S
SBI to implement OTP-based ATM cash withdrawals from January 1 2020
 State Bank of India will introduce One Time Password (OTP)-based ATM cash withdrawals. The step has
been taken to reduce the occurrences of unauthorised transactions happening at ATMs.
 SBI will introduce one-time password for every cash withdrawal of Rs 10,000 and above between 8 am and 8
pm.
 The OTP-based cash withdrawal will be effective from January 1, 2020 across all SBI ATMs. When an SBI
cardholder will enter the amount of cash he/she wishes to withdraw, a screen will appear asking for the OTP.
 The customer will then have to put the OTP that the bank will send to the registered mobile number.
Extra Shots:
SBI: The State Bank of India is an Indian multinational, public sector banking and financial services statutory body.
It is a government corporation statutory body headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra. SBI is ranked as 236th in the
Fortune Global 500 list of the world's biggest corporations of 2019.
 Chairperson: Rajnish Kumar
Finance Minister launches an e-auction platform “eBkray”

 Finance Minister has launched an e-auction platform “eBkray“.
 The platform will enable online auction of attached assets by banks.
 The platform provides navigational links to all PSB e-auction sites, property search feature.
 It also presents single-window access to information on properties up for e-auction, comparison of similar
properties, and also contains videos and photographs of the uploaded properties.
 Indian Banks Auctions Mortgaged Properties Information (IBAPI) portal is an initiative of Indian Banks
Association under the policy of the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance was launched to
provide a platform to give details of mortgaged properties to be auctioned online by Banks, starting with
PSBs.
HDFC Life partners with Paytm to expand its distribution

 HDFC Life Insurance has partnered with Paytm to expand its distribution.
 The partnership is aimed to enable customers of Paytm to purchase insurance products from HDFC Life.
 HDFC Life Insurance is constantly exploring opportunities to create and sustain new partnerships to
strengthen its distribution network.
 With the partnership, HDFC Life Insurance aims to increase insurance penetration in India and to simplify the
customers experience right from the purchase to the claim process.
Extra Shots:
Page 11 of 125
HDFC Life is a long-term life insurance provider with its headquarters in Mumbai, offering individual and group
insurance.
 CEO: Vibha Padalkar
Reserve Bank of India large cooperative banks to report all exposures of Rs 5 crore
 Reserve Bank of India directed large cooperative banks to report all exposures of Rs 5 crore and more to the
Central Repository of Information on Large Credits (CRILC) at early recognition of financial distress.
 Reserve Bank of India created a CRILC of commercial banks all India financial institutions, and individual
non-banking financial companies with multiple objectives, which, among others, include strengthening offsite
supervision and early recognition of financial distress.
 RBI announced that to bring UCBs with assets of Rs 500 crore and above under the CRILC reporting
framework.
Extra Shots:
Indian rupee.

Andhra Bank receives best performing bank award

Andhra Bank has received a best performing bank award for RSETIs for 2018-19 financial year. The public-sector
bank has established 14 Rural Self-Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs) under Ministry of Rural Development
scheme in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha and Kerala.
Andhra Bank RSETIs trained 9,711 candidates in 2018-19 and 82 per cent of them got employment by way of self-
employment or jobs.
RBI appoints J&K Bank as lead banking convenor for J&K, SBI for Ladakh
The Reserve Bank appointed Jammu & Kashmir Bank as the lead banker for the newly carved out union territory of
Jammu and Kashmir.
State Bank of India (SBI) will be the lead convenor bank for union territory of Ladakh.
Allahabad Bank, IOB, UCO to get ₹8,655 crore for preferential allotment
The government has approved releasing ₹8,655 crore to three public sector lenders — Allahabad Bank, Indian
Overseas Bank (IOB) and UCO Bank — for preferential allotment of shares.
The Ministry of Finance has approved infusing fresh capital amounting to ₹2,153 crore in Allahabad Bank, ₹2,142
crore in UCO Bank and ₹4,630 crore in IOB via for preferential allotment of shares.
Fresh capital infusion by the government is a part of the announcement made by Finance Minister Nirmala
Sitharaman, in her maiden Budget on 5 July
Page 12 of 125
No extra charge on digital payments via RuPay & UPI from 1st Jan 2020
 The Union Finance Minister has announced that the Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charges for businesses
with over Rs 50 crore annual revenues will be waived off from January 1, 2020.
 Also, the digital transactions made using RuPay credit cards, or UPI QR codes will not face any additional
charges for merchants or customers from January 1, 2020.
 All shops, business establishments and companies with an annual turnover of Rs 50 crore or more have been
mandated to offer these modes of payment to customers.
 The Department of Revenue will also notify RuPay and UPI as the prescribed mode of payment for digital
transactions without any Merchant Discount Rate (MDR).
 AIM: to promote the home-grown digital payment pathways like RuPay and UPI, over those promoted by
foreign companies, including VISA and MasterCard.
Extra Shots:
RuPay: RuPay is a card scheme, conceived and launched by the National Payments Corporation of India on 26
March 2012. It was created to fulfil the Reserve Bank of India's vision to have a domestic, open and multilateral
system of payments. RuPay facilitates electronic payment at all Indian banks and financial institutions.
 Owner: National Payments Corporation of India
 Introduced: 8 May 2014
UPI: Unified Payments Interface is an instant real-time payment system developed by National Payments
Corporation of India facilitating inter-bank transactions. The interface is regulated by the Reserve Bank of India and
works by instantly transferring funds between two bank accounts on a mobile platform.
 Introduced: 11 April 2016
 Owner: NPCI
RBI buys Rs 10,000 cr worth long-term govt securities in 2nd special OMO
 The Reserve Bank of India bought 10,000 crore rupees of long-term government securities and sold 8,501
crore rupees of three short-term bonds.
 RBI announced to purchase and sell government securities simultaneously under Open Market Operations
(OMO) for 10,000 crore rupees each.
 The RBI offered to sell four securities in the auction.
Extra Shots:
Indian rupee.

Deputy Governors: B P Kanungo, M K Jain, N S Vishwanathan
Page 13 of 125
Finance and Economy

Aditya Birla Finance becomes first NBFC to list commercial paper on bourses
 Non-bank lender Aditya Birla Finance became the first company to list its commercial papers borrowing of
Rs 100 crore on the bourses.
 The Kumarmangalam Birla-led company listed its CPs on NSE with a value date of November 28, 2019, and
maturity date on February 7, 2020, on BSE and NSE, both the bourses.
 ABFL is a diversified non-banking finance company (NBFC) with a long-term credit rating of AAA (Stable)
from both Icra as well as India Ratings.
Extra Shots:
Aditya Birla Finance:
 Headquarters location: Mumbai
 Founded: 1991
 Parent organization: Aditya Birla Capital
MSME sector has contributed over 29 percent of GDP

 Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises reported that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises sector
has contributed over 29% of Gross domestic product (GDP) and over 49% of Indian exports.
 The report was submitted by the Union MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari.
 The Indian government has taken many initiatives to enhance the competitiveness of MSMEs.
Extra Shots:
MSME: The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, a branch of the Government of India, is the apex
body for the formulation and administration of rules, regulations and laws relating to micro, small and medium
enterprises in India.
 Founded: 2007
 Headquarter: New Delhi
ADB provides $206m loan to finance Tamil Nadu Urban Investment Programme
 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to advance a loan of US $206 million to develop water
supply and sewerage infrastructure in Tiruchi and other cities in Tamil Nadu.
 It will also strengthen the capacities of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) for improved service delivery.
 The project initiatives are also expected to help the state develop the requisite ecosystem for economic
growth.
 The project will target cities namely Ambur, Tiruchirappalli, Tiruppur, and Vellore for developing sewage
collection and treatment and drainage systems.
 Improvement to water supply systems would be targeted in the cities of Madurai and Tiruppur.
Extra Shots:
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India’s forex reserves crossed $450 billion

 The country’s foreign exchange reserves crossed the $450-billion mark for the first time ever.
 India’s foreign exchange reserves were at $451.7 billion on December 3, 2019, an increase of $38.8 billion
over end-March 2019.
Extra Shots:
FOREX: The foreign exchange market is a global decentralized or over-the-counter market for the trading of
currencies. This market determines foreign exchange rates for every currency. It includes all aspects of buying,
selling and exchanging currencies at current or determined prices.
TCS introduces new insurance benefits that include the LGBT employees
 Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has announced changes in its health insurance policy in order to provide
benefits to employees involved in LGBT employees, a same-sex relationship. TCS became the first Tata
Group companies to bring the change.
New Health insurance policy of TCS:
♦ The change in health insurance policy will benefit all bisexual, lesbian, gay, and transgender or LGBT employees in
the company.
♦ The new health policy of the IT services major redefines spouse as a partner.
♦ The insurance policy will cover up to 50% cost of sex or gender reassignment surgery.
Extra Shots:
TCS: Tata Consultancy Services Limited is an Indian multinational information technology service and consulting
company headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It is a subsidiary of Tata Group and operates in 149 locations
across 46 countries. TCS is the second largest Indian company by market capitalization.
 CEO: Rajesh Gopinathan
 Founders: Faquir Chand Kohli, Tata Sons, J. R. D. Tata
NSE launches interest rate options on 10-yr govt bonds

 National Stock Exchange launched interest rate options on ten-year Government bonds.
 The exchange recorded a turnover of 5,926 contracts on the first day of its launch.
 The exchange has added one more instrument to the fixed income derivatives asset class.
 Interest rate options will provide institutional investors with the ability to manage risk through a non-linear
product.
 These interest rate options are based on 10-year government bonds maturing in 2029 with a coupon rate of
7.26 per cent and 6.45 per cent.
 Presently, interest rate futures are available on seven government bonds for residual maturity ranging from 4
years to 15 years.
Extra Shots:
NSE: The National Stock Exchange of India Limited is the leading stock exchange of India, located in Mumbai. The
NSE was established in 1992 as the first dematerialized electronic exchange in the country.
 Owner: National Stock Exchange of India Limited
 Founded: 1992
Airtel launches Wi-Fi calling service in Delhi-NCR

 Bharti Airtel launched the Wi-Fi calling service for its subscribers.
 The service is currently rolling out in Delhi-NCR, gradually implemented in other cities.
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 This service will significantly enhance indoor calling services without incurring any extra charges.
 Airtel Wi-Fi to enhance voice calling experience for Airtel smartphone customers, especially when they are
indoors.
 The ‘Airtel Wi-Fi Calling,’ customers with Wi-Fi at home or office will get excellent signal quality indoors.
 There will be no extra charge for calls made over ‘Airtel Wi-Fi Calling,’ and the application consumes
minimal data.
 The service is currently available to Airtel customers in Delhi NCR.
Extra Shots:
Airtel: Bharti Airtel Limited, also known as Airtel, is an Indian global telecommunications services company based
in Delhi, India. It operates in 18 countries across South Asia and Africa, and also in the Channel Islands.
 CEO: Gopal Vittal
 Headquarters: New Delhi
 Parent organizations: Bharti Enterprises (64%), Singapore Telecommunications Limited (36%)
ADB lowers India’s GDP growth forecast to 5.1% in FY20

 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has lowered its forecast for India’s economic growth in fiscal year
2019-20 to 5.1%.
 ADB has stated that the consumption was affected by slow job growth and rural distress was aggravated by
poor harvest.
Extra Shots:
Xiaomi launches service “Mi Credit” in India for Android phones

 Xiaomi has formally launched its lending platform “Mi Credit” in India for Android phones. According to
platform “Mi Credit” individuals can avail up to Rs 1 lakh loan.
 The company is planning to introduce more financial products in India.
 The company has been operating Mi Credit platform on a pilot basis.
 Xiaomi has roped in Aditya Birla Finance Ltd, Money View, EarlySalary, Zestmoney and CreditVidya as the
current lending partners for Mi Credit service.
 Mi Credit app will come pre-loaded on all MIUI phones, and can be downloaded from Google Play Store.
Extra shots:
Xiaomi: Xiaomi Corporation is a Chinese electronics company founded by Lei Jun in 2010 and headquartered in
Beijing. Xiaomi makes and invests in smartphones, mobile apps, laptops, bags, trimmers, earphones, MI Television,
Shoes, fitness bands, and many other products.
 CEO: Lei Jun
 Founded: 6 April 2010, Yingu Mansion, Beijing, China
 Headquarters: Haidian District, Beijing, China
 Parent organization: Xiaomi Corp
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 Founders: Lei Jun, Li Wanqiang, Lin Bin, Wang Chuan, Zhou Guangping, Hong Feng, Wong Jiangji, Liu De
NTPC signs pact for Rs. 5,000 crores with SBI

 National Thermal Power Corporation Limited has signed a term loan agreement for Rs. 5,000 crore with State
Bank of India.
 The loan facility has been extended at an interest rate linked to 3 Months MCLR of the bank and has a door
to door tenure of 15 years.
 The loan will be utilised to part finance the capital expenditure of NTPC.
Extra Shots:
NTPC Headquarters: New Delhi, India
SBI Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Exim Bank provides USD 500 mn credit to Bangladesh for defence procurement
 India has provided USD 500 million (Rs 3,561 crore) line of credit to Bangladesh for defence-related
procurement in the neighbouring country.
 Export Import Bank of India (Exim Bank) entered into an agreement with Bangladesh’s Armed Forces
Division for making available to the latter a Government of India-supported line of credit (LoC) of USD
500 million
Extra Shots:
Exim Bank HQ: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Dupont partners with Central govt initiative-“AGNIi” to support India’s innovation ecosystem
DuPont de Nemours,Inc (commonly known as DuPont), an American company with technology-based materials,
ingredients and solutions has partnered with AGNIi (Accelerated Growth of New India’s Innovations), an
initiative of the office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India(GoI), executed by Invest
India (the national investment promotion and facilitation agency of India), to support the development of
sustainable innovations and technologies across industries.
Moody’s slashes India’s GDP growth forecast to 5.6% for 2019

 Moody’s Investors Service,an American credit rating agency in its Global Macro Outlook 2020-21, has
lowered India’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product ) growth forecast for 2019 to 5.6 % , which is less than 7.4
% in 2018 .
 It cuts the forecast due to the slow growth rate of employment is impacting consumption.
 It also expects that the growth rate will improve after that and it can be 6.6 % and 6.7 % in 2020 and 2021
respectively.
Extra Shots:
Moody’s HQ: New York, US
Edelweiss AMC launches India’s 1st corporate bond called ‘Bharat Bond ETF’
 Edelweiss Asset Management Company (AMC), a subsidiary of Edelweiss Capital Limited (ECL) has
launched the India’s 1st Corporate Bond ETF (exchange trade fund) called the Bharat Bond ETF.
 This bond will invest only in bonds rated AAA bonds of Public Sector companies.
Extra Shots:
Edelweiss Hq: Mumbai
Page 17 of 125
Net surplus revenue decreased by 66.10 pc to Rs 1,665.61 cr in 2017-18: CAG

 India’s net revenue surplus decreased by 66.10 per cent from Rs 4,913.00 crore in 2016-17 to Rs 1,665.61
crore in 2017-18, said the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)
 The share of internal resources in total capital expenditure also decreased to 3.01 per cent in 2017-18
Crisil slashes India’s FY20 growth to 5.1% over slump across sectors
 Rating agency Crisil sharply cut its growth forecast for the current financial year to 5.1 per cent from an
earlier estimate of 6.3 per cent.
 Growth in the second half of 2019-20 will go up to 5.5 per cent, up from the 4.75 per cent in the first half.
 The move comes ahead of the RBI’s announcement on lending rates on December 5.
Extra Shots:
Crisil HQ: Mumbai
Flipkart, Punjab government sign two MoUs to create opportunities for MSMEs
 Leading e-commerce marketplace Flipkart signed two memoranda of understanding with the government of
Punjab to increase business and trade inclusion opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises
(MSMEs) in Punjab
 Through these MoUs, thousands of under-resourced sellers, artisans and weavers from Punjab will be
onboarded to Flipkart through its Samarth initiative.
Wipro launches next-gen cybersecurity defence centre in Melbourne

 IT services major Wipro Ltd has launched its next-generation cybersecurity defence centre to make
substantial investments to upskill its employees and hire more local resources in Melbourne, Australia
 According to Wipro’s recently released State of Cybersecurity Report 2019 (in which 10 per cent of the global
organisations surveyed were from Australia), 55 per cent of the respondents highlighted digital lockdowns due
to ransomware attacks are their top cyber risk.
ADB, ACAMS partner to improve anti-money laundering capacities in developing Asia

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists
(ACAMS) are partnering in the pilot rollout of an internationally accredited online training programme to boost anti-
money laundering and know-your-client (AM
S & P reaffirms India’s sovereign credit rating at BBB minus with stable outlook
 The government said that ratings agency S&P Global has reaffirmed India’s sovereign rating at BBB- with
stable outlook and it expects India’s economy to continue to outperform its peers along with strong growth
over the next two years.
 S&P’s rating action follows Moody’s Investors Service’s lowering of India’s rating outlook to ‘negative’ from
‘stable’ recently.
Extra Shots:
S&P Global: New York, US
Flipkart, Punjab government sign two MoUs to create opportunities for MSMEs
 Leading e-commerce marketplace Flipkart signed two memoranda of understanding with the government of
Punjab to increase business and trade inclusion opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises
(MSMEs) in Punjab
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 Through these MoUs, thousands of under-resourced sellers, artisans and weavers from Punjab will be
onboarded to Flipkart through its Samarth initiative.
Extra Shots:
Flipkart Hq: Bengaluru
Wipro launches next-gen cybersecurity defence centre in Melbourne

 IT services major Wipro Ltd has launched its next-generation cybersecurity defence centre to make
substantial investments to upskill its employees and hire more local resources in Melbourne, Australia
 According to Wipro’s recently released State of Cybersecurity Report 2019 (in which 10 per cent of the global
organisations surveyed were from Australia), 55 per cent of the respondents highlighted digital lockdowns due
to ransomware attacks are their top cyber risk.
ADB, ACAMS partner to improve anti-money laundering capacities in developing Asia

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists
(ACAMS) are partnering in the pilot rollout of an internationally accredited online training programme to boost anti-
money laundering and know-your-client (AML/KYC) capacities of ADB’s Trade Finance Programme (TFP) partner
banks.
Extra Shots:
ADB HQ: Manila,Phillipines
I-T Department mandates linking of PAN with Aadhaar

 The Income Tax Department announced that it is mandatory to link the PAN with Aadhaar by the end of 2019
on 15 December.
 It announced that the deadline for the linking of the Permanent Account Number (PAN) with Aadhaar was
extended till 31 December by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) through an order issued in
September 2019.
 Earlier, the deadline for the linkage of PAN-Aadhaar was 30 September.
CBDT extended the date for advance tax payment till 31 December
 The Central Board of Direct Taxation (CBDT) extended the deadline to make advance tax payments for the
northeastern states in view of the protests against the amended Citizenship Act till 31 December 2019.
 Earlier, the deadline for the third installment of the Advance Tax for the financial year 2019-20 was set by 15
December.
 The advance tax payments, under the direct taxes category, are made four times in a financial year.
Extra shots:
CBDT: The Chairperson, Central Board of Direct Taxes is the senior-most IRS civil servant in the Government of
India. The Chairperson of CBDT is the ex officio Special Secretary to the Government of India and also cadre
controlling authority of the Indian Revenue Service.
 Chairman: Pramod Chandra Mody
Edelweiss Mutual Fund launches Indias first Corporate Bond exchange-traded fund
Amazon’s Audible launches app “Audible Suno” in India

 Amazon’s audiobook company Audible has launched a new app “Audible Suno” in India.
 This app features original audio series which aims to expand Audible’s reach in India’s highly competitive
digital entertainment and streaming space.
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 The platform features hundreds of hours of Audible’s original audio series across a plethora of genres, steered
by entertainers such as Amitabh Bachchan, Nawaazuddin Siddiqui, Anurag Kashyap, Tabu, Neena Gupta and
Vir Das.
Extra Shots:
Amazon.com, Inc., is an American multinational technology company based in Seattle that focuses on e-commerce,
cloud computing, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence. It is considered one of the Big Four tech companies,
along with Google, Apple, and Facebook.
 Founder: Jeff Bezos
GoI signs $250 Mn loan with ADB to expand energy efficiency investments
 The Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have signed a $250 million loan for
Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL).
 The loan aims to expand energy efficiency investments in India that will benefit agricultural, residential and
institutional consumers.
 Additionally, $46 million financing will be provided from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF), to be
administered by ADB.
 The project is expected to contribute to the mission of Government of India to promote energy efficiency and
meet Government’s commitments to reduce energy intensity of the economy.
Extra Shots:
Infosys launches blockchain powered distributed applications

 Infosys has announced the launch of three blockchain-powered distributed applications.
 The applications will be dedicated for government services, insurance, and supply chain management
domains.
 The applications are equipped with predictive return on investment (ROI) analytics for business investments
that can be tailored to meet numerous industry-specific needs.
Extra Shots:
Infosys: Infosys Limited is an Indian multinational corporation that provides business consulting, information
technology and outsourcing services. It has its headquarters in Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
 CEO: Salil Parekh
 Headquarters: Bengaluru
Wipro to launch skilling platform to train 10,000 engineering students

 Wipro partnered with Nasscom to launch a skilling platform for new-age technologies like AI that will reach
10,000 students over 20 engineering colleges in India.
 Future Skills will bridge the industry-academia skill gap and help students keep pace with emerging
technologies.
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 It is a part of Wipro's Corporate Social Responsibility program, TalentNext.

 The Future Skills is a platform built to bridge the industry-academia skill gap with the emerging technologies
Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, and Internet of Things (IoT).
 This will create a talent pool of students, certified by Wipro and Nasscom.
Extra Shots:
Wipro: WIPRO Group is an Indian multinational corporation that provides information technology, consulting and
business process services. It is headquartered in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. In 2013, Wipro separated its non-IT
businesses and formed the privately owned Wipro Enterprises.
 CEO: Abidali Neemuchwala
 Founder: M.H. Hasham Premji
Mastercard signs agreement to acquire RiskReckon

 Mastercard has announced an agreement to acquire RiskRecon.
 RiskRecon is one of the leading providers of data analytics solutions and artificial intelligence focused on
cyber-risk and security and offering solutions to mitigate cyber risks faced by the companies.
 The acquisition would enhance the cyber-security systems for MasterCard which offers payment processing
services on a global scale.
Extra Shots:
Mastercard Incorporated is an American multinational financial services corporation headquartered in the
Mastercard International Global Headquarters in Purchase, New York, United States. The Global Operations
Headquarters is located in O'Fallon, Missouri, United States, a municipality of St. Charles County, Missouri.
 CEO: Ajaypal Singh Banga
BSNL gets 770 cr from Bharat Broadband Nigam to clear BharatNet vendor dues
 Bharat Broadband Nigam Limited to set up an optical fiber network under the BharatNet Project paid around
Rs770 crores in advance to BSNL to help the telecom firm clear dues of vendors involved in the project.
 The debt-ridden state-run telecom firm had requested BBNL to pay Rs1,033 crores earlier this month to clear
the dues of vendors engaged in the BharatNet project.
Extra Shots:
BSNL: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, d/b/a BSNL is an Indian state-owned telecommunications company,
headquartered in New Delhi, Delhi, India. It was incorporated by Government of India on 1 October 2000. It provides
mobile voice and internet services through its nationwide telecommunications network across India.
 CEO: Pravin Kumar Purwar
 Founder: Government of India
 Founded: 15 September 2000
SBI, KfW sign $277 million agreement for energy efficient housing programme in India
State Bank of India (SBI) has signed a loan agreement with KfW, the German development bank, for 277 million
dollars (about Rs 1,958 crore) for establishing an energy-efficient housing programme in India.
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The programme will be a part of Indo-German Development Cooperation which is guided by the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development.
ICAR and NABARD signs MoU to facilitate the action research and up-scaling of the various technologies and
innovative farmer models
With a view to promote sustainable agriculture and climate resilient farming systems the Indian Council of
Agricultural Research (ICAR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Board of
Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) to facilitate the action research and up-scaling of the various
technologies and innovative farmer models developed by the ICAR.
Extra Shots:
NABARD HQ: Mumbai
Head: Harsh kumar Bhanwala
Mastercard picks BharatPe for its Start Path program

Mastercard has selected BharatPe for its Start Path program. Bharat Pe is the only company from India selected by
Mastercard as part of the latest cohort.
BharatPe, along with six other tech startups, will get an opportunity to learn from and integrate with Mastercard’s
network of experts, customers and partners.
RIL beats Indian Oil to be number one player by revenue

Reliance Industries (RIL) has emerged as the number one company in terms of revenue in the Fortune India 500 list
for 2019, pipping Indian Oil Corporation (IOC). RIL revenues crossed Rs 5.81 trillion in FY19 against IOC’s Rs 5.36
trillion.
Another interesting aspect of the 2019 list is the divergence in the fortunes of the public and private sector banks as
14 of the 22 public sector banks reported cumulative losses of Rs 74,253 crore, while the cumulative profit of 24 of
the total private sector banks (including foreign banks and cooperative banks) touched Rs 60,747 crore — 6.16 per
cent higher than FY18.
NEFT, RTGS transfer charges to be waived for savings account, RBI issues order
The RBI informed that NEFT, RTGS transfer charges should be waived off to push digital retail payments. The new
rules come into effect from 1 January 2020.
The RBI also made NEFT transactions a round-the-clock process which works even during bank holidays
Finance ministry sets Rs 1.1 lakh crore monthly GST collection target
The Finance Ministry aims to bring in Rs 1.1 lakh crore as monthly GST collection for the next four months Revenue
Secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey had a video conference meeting with top tax officials and impressed upon them to
step up measures to achieve direct and indirect tax collection target.
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Moody’s cuts India’s FY20 growth projection to 4.9% citing weak consumption
Moody’s has lowered its GDP growth projection for India for the fiscal year ending March 2020 to 4.9 per cent from
5.8 per cent.
The major factors responsible for weakening economic growth were rural financial stress, low job creation and
liquidity constraints.
Patanjali Ayurved completes acquisition of bankrupt Ruchi Soya for Rs 4,350 crore
Debt-ridden Ruchi Soya’s resolution is complete with Yoga guru Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali Ayurved depositing Rs
1,100 crore equity in a State Bank of India (SBI) escrow account to acquire the edible oil maker for Rs 4,350 crore.
Ruchi Soya is the second big insolvency case to be completed this week
Sebi signs pact with Kazakhstan-based AFSA for mutual co-operation

Markets regulator Sebi has signed a pact with Kazakhstan’s Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA) for mutual
co-operation and technical assistance.
The objective of the bilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) is to strengthen cross border co-operation in the
area of securities regulation.
RBI caps lending on P2P platforms at Rs 50 lakh

To protect consumers interest, the Reserve Bank said that on a peer-to-peer lending (P2P) platform the permissible
exposure of a lender to all borrowers should not exceed Rs 50 lakh at any given point of time.
The lender investing more than Rs 10 lakh across P2P platforms will produce a certificate to P2P platforms from a
practising Chartered Accountant certifying minimum net-worth of Rs 50 lakh.
AIIB announces $210 million loan for irrigation & solar energy projects
The Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) announced a total loan of $210 million for irrigation
and solar energy projects in India.
The multilateral institution will lend $145 million to improve irrigation services and strengthen flood risk
management in West Bengal, while $65 million has been earmarked for a 250-megawatt (MW) solar project in
Rajasthan promoted by Hero Future Energies.
RBI introduces new prepaid payment tool for transactions upto Rs 10,000 a month
The Reserve Bank has introduced a new type of prepaid payment instrument (PPI) which could be used only for
purchase of goods and services up to a limit of Rs 10,000 per month.
PPIs are financial instruments that facilitate the purchase of goods and services against the value stored on such
instruments.
As per the circular, such PPIs shall be issued by bank and non-bank ‘PPI Issuers’ after obtaining minimum details of
the holder.
“The amount loaded in such PPIs during any month shall not exceed Rs 10,000 and the total amount loaded during
the financial year shall not exceed Rs 1,20,000,” the circular said.
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Bank Gross NPA Ratio Of SCB’s Decline In 2019: RBI Report

The Reserve Bank of India released the Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India 2018-19, a statutory
publication in compliance with Section 36 (2) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. This Report presents the
performance of the banking sector, including co-operative banks, and non-banking financial institutions during 2018-
19 and 2019-20 so far.
The banking sector showed improvement with the gross non-performing assets (GNPA) ratio of Scheduled
Commercial Banks (SCBs) declining from 11.2 per cent in March 2018 to 9.1 per cent in March 2019 and a return to
profitability in H1: 2019-20.
Federal Bank ties up with Magicbricks to recover dues from 30 big accounts
Private sector lender Federal Bank has tied up with online real estate platform Magicbricks for listing and e-
auctioning of immovable properties repossessed by it in recovery proceedings. The move is aimed at speedy recovery
of the bank’s impaired assets, while helping customers get the best rate in the market for their properties.
Pine Labs partners with Kotak Mahindra Bank to enable EMIs on Kotak Debit Cards
Pine Labs, one of India’s largest merchant-focused companies and Kotak Mahindra Bank (Kotak) announced a tie-up
to enable EMI payments via Kotak Debit Cards. This arrangement enables over 10 million eligible Kotak debit card
customers to pay for their purchases in easy instalments via the Pine Labs POS terminals.
India’s financial system stable despite weakening domestic growth: RBI

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the Financial Stability Report, which states that the financial system of the
country is stable.
“India’s financial system remains stable notwithstanding weakening domestic growth; resilience of the banking sector
has improved. Risks from global or domestic economic uncertainties and geopolitical developments, however,
persist,” says the report.
India ranks 47th globally in home price appreciation: Knight Frank

The Knight Frank Global House Price Index Q3 2019 released recently ranked India at 47th spot among 56 countries
tracked in terms of appreciation in residential real estate prices with a marginal 0.6 per cent year-on-year rise in home
prices.
Hungary leads the index this quarter with 15.4 per cent annual price growth, followed by Luxembourg at 11.4 per
cent and Croatia at 10.4 per cent.
IMF retains India’s FY20 GDP growth rate forecast at 6.1%

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has retained India’s economic growth forecast at 6.1 per cent for FY20, but
said risks to the outlook are tilted to downward side. IMF’s projection, given in its much-awaited country report on
India under Article IV of the Fund, is much higher than those by most agencies.
For example, the Reserve Bank of India’s latest projection pegged the growth at 5 per cent, Standard & Poor’s at 5.1
per cent, Moody’s at 4.9 per cent and Fitch’ at 4.6 per cent for the current financial year.
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India set to cross 100-GW renewable energy capacity mark in 2020

India is set to cross the 100-Gw renewable energy capacity mark in 2020 and can make rapid strides towards the
ambitious 175 Gw clean energy target by 2022 provided the government keeps a close eye on key issues and deals
with those well in time.
The government, however, needs to promote storage to ensure 24×7 clean energy supply as coal fired thermal power
still remains the base load in the country.
Finance Ministry makes Aadhaar linking mandatory for PM Vaya Vandana Yojana
The Finance Ministry has made it mandatory for Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY) beneficiaries and
applicants to submit their Aadhaar number or undergo Aadhaar authentication. The pension scheme is implemented
through LIC for senior citizens.
HDFC Life partners with Paytm to expand its distribution

HDFC Life Insurance has partnered with Paytm to expand its distribution. The partnership is aimed to enable
customers of Paytm to purchase insurance products from HDFC Life.
With the partnership, HDFC Life Insurance aims to increase insurance penetration in India and to simplify the
customers experience right from the purchase to the claim process.
NITI Aayog releases SDG India Index and dashboard 2019

NITI Aayog on Monday released the second edition of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index which
comprehensively documents the progress made by states and union territories towards achieving the 2030 SDG
targets.
The SDG India Index has been developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Implementation (MoSPI), United Nations in India and Global Green Growth Institute.
According to the SDG India Index, India’s composite score has improved from 57 in 2018 to 60 in 2019. India is the
first country in the world with a government-led, sub-national measure of progress on Sustainable Development
Goals.
No MDR charge on payment via RuPay debit card, UPI, UPI QR code from Jan 1
Users will no more be required to pay merchant discount rates (MDR) when they make a digital payment using
RuPay debit card, UPI, or UPI QR code from January 1, 2020
In a gazette notification, the revenue department of the Finance Ministry announced to amend Income-tax Rules,
1962, and prescribed use of the RuPay card and UPI for digital transactions to avoid MDR charges.
Companies with an annual turnover of Rs 50 crore or more will have to provide the facility of payment through
RuPay debit card, UPI and UPI QR code to their customers.
The companies will be penalised with Rs 5,000 per day if they fail to install and operationalise to accept payment
through the prescribed payment facilities until January 31, 2020
Page 25 of 125
CBIC paid Rs 1,12,000 crore as IGST refunds to exporters

 Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has announced that it has paid Rs 1,12,000 crore as
Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) refunds to exporters.
 According to CBIC, over 83,000 exporters have been benefited by these refunds.
 The numbers indicated the government’s efforts to fast track refunds under GST especially to exporters. Also,
as of now, refunds of only 3,604 crores are pending with Customs.
Extra Shots:
CBIC: The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs is the nodal national agency responsible for administering
Customs, GST, Central Excise, Service Tax & Narcotics in India.
 Chairperson: Pranab Kumar Das
 Elected officer responsible: Smt.Nirmala Sitharaman, Finance Minister of India
 Headquarters location: New Delhi
 Founded: 1944
 General nature: Federal law enforcement
 Subsidiary: Directorate of Revenue Intelligence
WhatsApp service and helpline number launched for women

 Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) launched a dedicated women helpline, 'Damini,'
which is a calling and a WhatsApp service for the safety of women.
 The unique number "81142-77777" subscribed for the helpline is an extension of the 'Nirbhaya Yojana' aims
to ensure the safety of women.
 UPSRTC managing director Raj Shekhar said that the helpline is called 'Damini' because of its specific nature
and importance.
 The number visible by printing it inside buses and at bus stations by January 15.
Extra Shots:
WhatsApp Messenger is a freeware, cross-platform messaging and Voice over IP service owned by Facebook, Inc.
It allows users to send text messages and voice messages, make voice and video calls, and share images, documents,
user locations, and other media.
National Current Affairs

Govt launches drive to enroll 1 cr beneficiaries under two pension schemes
 The government has launched a drive to enroll one crore beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi
Maandhan (PM-SYM) and the National Pension Scheme for Traders and Self Employed Persons (NPS-
Traders) by March next year.
 Labour and Employment Minister Santosh Kumar Gangwar launched the drive to mark the celebrations of
Pension week.
 Stating that both the schemes are simple and hassle-free, an Aadhaar card number along with a savings bank
account or Jan-Dhan account are needed for enrollments.
Extra Shots:
 Labour and Employment Minister: Santosh Kumar Gangwar
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India becomes 1st country to make entire Haj process digital

 India has become the 1st country to make the entire process for pilgrims going on Haj completely digital.
 An online application, e-visa, Haj mobile app, ‘e-MASIHA’ health facility, “e-luggage pre-tagging” providing
all information in India itself regarding accommodation and transportation in Mecca and Madina will be
provided to 2 lakh Indian Muslims going for Haj in 2020.
 Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi signed the bilateral annual Haj 2020 agreement between
India and Saudi Arabia with Haj and Umrah Minister of Saudi Arabia.
Extra Shots:
 Minority Affairs Minister: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
Hallmarking to be mandatory for gold jewellery and artefacts

 Hallmarking of gold jewellery and artefacts will be made mandatory across the country from January 15,
2021.
 The step aims to ensure the purity of the precious metal.
 The decision will make it compulsory for all the jewellers to register with the Bureau of Indian Standards and
sell only hallmarked gold jewellery and artefacts.
 A notification in this regard will be issued on January 15 2020 and the decision will come into effect after a
year.
 Gold hallmarking is a purity certification of the precious metal. It is voluntary in nature at present.
 The BIS is already running a hallmarking scheme for gold jewellery since April 2000.
 The Bureau of Indian Standards has formulated standards for hallmarking gold jewellery in 3 grades: 14 carat,
18 carat and 22 carat.
Railways operating ratio worst in last 10 years

 The Comptroller and Auditor General’s report stated that the railways recorded an operating ratio of 98.44%
in 2017-18.
 The above operating ratio was the worst in the last 10 years.
 Operating ratio is a measure of expenditure against the revenue.
 It shows the operating efficiency of the railway and the health of its finances.
 An operating ratio of 98.44% shows that the Railways spent Rs 98.44 to earn Rs 100.
Extra Shots:
Indian Railways is India's national railway system operated by the Ministry of Railways. It manages the fourth
largest railway network in the world by size, with a route length of 67,368-kilometre and total track length of
121,407-kilometre as of March 2017.
 Founded: 16 April 1853, India
Labour Ministry celebrated Pension Week

 Ministry of Labour and Employment has designated to celebrate 30 November 2019 - 6 December 2019 as the
Pension Week.
 The week focuses on enrolments under Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) and National
Pension Scheme for Traders and Self-Employed Persons (NPS-Traders).
Pension Schemes:
♦ The pension schemes and initiatives in India are simple and hassle-free.
♦ In order to enroll to avail pension, only Aadhar and savings bank or Jandhan account is required.
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♦ With the required credentials, one van enroll easily under the Pension Schemes.
Extra Shots:
Minister of Labour and Employment: Santosh Kumar Gangwar
Govt launches 4th round of Regional Connectivity Scheme-UDAN

 The government has launched the 4th round of Regional Connectivity Scheme – UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam
Nagrik) to further enhance the connectivity to remote and regional areas of the country.
 The focus in this round will be North East Region, Hilly States, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Islands.
 The scheme was launched in October 2016, which seeks to provide connectivity to un-served and under-
served regions through the revival of existing airstrips and airports.
Extra Shots:
UDAN: UDAN-RCS, UDAN is a regional airport development and "Regional Connectivity Scheme" of Government
of India, with the objective of "letting the common citizen of the country fly", aimed at making air.
 Start date: 27 April 2017
 Launched: 27 April 2017; 2 years ago; Delhi
 Country: India
 Ministry: Ministry of Civil Aviation (India)
EC to implement Political Parties RTMS

 The Election Commission of India will implement the political parties Registration Tracking Management
System (RTMS).
 It will be implemented through an online portal to facilitate tracking of the status of the application by
applicants.
 The Commission said, the applicant who is applying for party registration from 1st January 2020 onwards will
be able to track the progress of his or her application and will get status through SMS and email.
Extra Shots:
ECI: The Election Commission of India is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering
election processes in India at national, state and district level.
 Formed: 25 January 1950
 First executive: Sukumar Sen
 Preceding executive: Om Prakash Rawat
Vice Prez M Venkaiah Naidu launches Bharatiya POSHAN Anthem

 Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu launched the ‘Bharatiya Poshan Anthem’ in New Delhi.
 The aims towards taking the message of making India malnutrition free to all corners of the country.
 The anthem was conceptualised by Union Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) and has
been penned by noted lyricist Prasoon Joshi and sung by Shankar Mahadevan.
Extra Shots:
Delhi:
 Chief Minister: Arvind Kejriwal
 Lt. Governor: Anil Baijal
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Government to establish first maritime museum at Lothal

 The government is to establish a National Maritime Heritage Museum, at Lothal, a Harappan site on the
Saurashtra coast in Gujarat.
 The move aims to boost the underwater or marine archaeology.
 Lothal site is one of the oldest ports in India dating to the Bronze Age.
 The Maritime Museum is being set up with technical help from the Portuguese Maritime Heritage Museum.
Extra Shots:
Gujarat:
 Capital: Gandhinagar
 Chief Minister: Vijay Rupani
 Governor: Acharya Devvrat
 National Park: Vansda NP, Blackbuck NP, Gir Forest NP, Marine NP, Gulf of Kutch
Government launched the Operation Clean Art

 Government launched the Operation Clean Art across India.
 The operation aimed to crackdown illegal trade in the mongoose hair.
 This is the first time such an operation is happening in India.
 It was initiated by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB).
 The mongoose is a small carnivoran found in southern Eurasia and mainland Africa.
 It is listed in Schedule II (Part II) of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Fit India School Rating System launched as part of Fit India Campaign
 Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ and Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports Kiren
Rijiju has jointly launched the Fit India School Rating System.
 The “Fit India School Rating System” has been launched as part of the Fit India Campaign.
 The Fit India school rating system as per certain parameters is expected to enhance the image of the schools.
 Fit India program is an innovative initiative launched by the Prime Minister to increase the awareness among
the masses and to encourage people to adopt healthy lifestyle.
Extra Shots:
 Union HRD Minister: Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’
 Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports: Kiren Rijiju
Nation pays homage to Dr BR Ambedkar on his 64th Mahaparinirvan Diwas

 The nation is paying homage to Bharat Ratna Dr BR Ambedkar on his 64th Mahaparinirvan Diwas (death
anniversary) on 6 December.
 He was popularly known as Babasaheb Ambedkar and everyone knows that he was one of the architects of
the Indian Constitution.
Extra Shots:
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, popularly known as Babasaheb Ambedkar, was an Indian jurist, economist, politician
and social reformer who inspired the Dalit Buddhist movement and campaigned against social discrimination towards
the untouchables, while also supporting the rights of women and labour.
 Born: 14 April 1891, Dr. Ambedkar Nagar
 Died: 6 December 1956, Delhi
 Full name: Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar
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Mongla and Chattogram port declared as Ports of Call

 Centre has declared Port of Mongla and Chattogram as Ports of Call under Protocol on Inland Water Transit
and Trade (PIWT&T) between India and Bangladesh.
 Mongla and Chattogram are declared as Ports of Call under the Coastal Shipping Agreement between India
and Bangladesh.
Extra Shots:
 Port of call is an intermediate stop for a ship on its scheduled journey for cargo operation.
 The Ports of Call in India are Kolkata, Haldia, Pandu, Karimganj, Silghat, Dhubri. Similarly,
 In Bangladesh, the Ports of Call are Narayanganj, Khulna, Mongla, Sirajganj, Ashuganj, and Pangaon.
CCEA approved Rs.150 crore for 39 Government Medical Colleges and Institutions
 Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the proposal for the up-gradation of the 39
Government Medical Colleges and Institutions (GMCIs) in the third phase of PMSSY on 7th November 2013.
 It also approved a cost of Rs.150 crore each, Rs.120 crore for the Central Contribution and Rs.30 crore for the
State Share.
 The Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) was approved in March 2006.
 The scheme aims to correct the imbalances in the availability of affordable healthcare facilities in the different
parts of the country.
Extra Shots:
CCEA: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its
approval for creation and launch of Bharat Bond Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) to create an additional source of
funding for Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), Central Public
Financial Institutions (CPFIs) and other Government organizations. Bharat Bond ETF would be the first corporate
Bond ETF in the country.
Ripu Daman Bevli as “Plogging Ambassador of India” on 50th Fit India Plogging Run
 Ripu Daman Bevli was appointed as Plogging Ambassador of India by Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State for
Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) on the 50th Fit India Plogging Run held in Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru
Stadium.
 The minister also launched the Plogging Ambassador Mission to nominate Indians who have been running
and cleaning their cities, towns or districts as Plogging Ambassadors of their region.
 Plog run is a unique way of picking up garbage while jogging, it was added to the Fit India Movement as an
initiative to combine fitness with cleanliness like combining the Fit India Movement and Swachh Bharat
Abhiyan.
Extra Shots:
 Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports: Kiren Rijiju
GoI launched National Clean Air Programme

 The Central Government launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) as a long-term, time-bound,
national-level strategy to tackle the air pollution problem across the country in a comprehensive manner.
 The government is targeting to achieve 20 per cent to 30 per cent reduction in Particulate Matter PM10 and
PM2.5 concentrations by 2024 keeping 2017 as the base year for the comparison of concentration.
 Under NCAP, 102 non-attainment cities have been identified based on ambient air quality data for the period
2011 – 2015 and WHO report 2014 – 2018.
Extra Shots:
Page 30 of 125
NCAP: The Centre has launched a programme to reduce particulate matter (PM) pollution by 20-30% in at least 102
cities by 2024. The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which was formally unveiled on Thursday, is envisaged
as a scheme to provide the States and the Centre with a framework to combat air pollution.
Mahuamilan railway station became the 5,500th station to get the free WiFi facility
 Jharkhand's Mahuamilan railway station has become the 5,500th station to get the facility free WiFi provided
by the Railways has provided across the country.
 Midnapore Railway station of South Eastern Railway zone was the 5000th station in the country to have
public Wi-Fi.
 Indian Railway of the Ministry of Railways is providing free Wi-Fi service to passengers under RailWire.
 The Railways WiFi free service began the service of providing free WiFi at its stations from January 2016
from Mumbai Central station.
Anand Kumar invited for India’s Republic Day celebrations in New York
 The Federation of Indian Association (FIA) has invited Super 30 founder Anand Kumar to a function on the
eve of India’s Republic Day celebrations in New York.
 The Federation of Indian Association is the oldest organisation of the non-resident Indians.
 Year “2020” also marks the 50th anniversary of FIA.
 Anand Kumar has been invited for his contribution in the field of education through his programme ‘Super
30’.
 ‘Super 30’ is a programme that prepares 30 students from underprivileged sections of society for the
prestigious IIT entrance test every year, without any fees.
Extra Shots:
FIA: The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile is an association established on 20 June 1904 to represent the
interests of motoring organisations and motor car users. To the general public, the FIA is mostly known as the
governing body for many auto racing events. The FIA also promotes road safety around the world.
 President: Jean Todt
 Formation: 20 June 1904; 115 years ago (as AIACR)
 Location: Paris, France
 Headquarters location: Paris, France
 Membership: 240 national organisations
Israeli student’s made satellite “Duchifat-3” to be launched from Sriharikota

 The “Duchifat-3”, Israeli student’s made satellite will be launched from ISRO’s Sriharikota launch site.
“Duchifat-3” is a satellite jointly built by Herzliya Science Center and Sha’ar HaNegev High School students
of Israel.
 It is a remote sensing satellite through which students from all schools across the country will be able to
experiment and carry through Earth observation. “Duchifat-3” is the 3rd in the series of Israeli student-made
satellites.
 Duchifat-3 weigheing 2.3 kg is a photo satellite to be used for ecological research of Earth from space.
Extra Shots:
ISRO: The Indian Space Research Organisation is the space agency of the Government of India.
 Founded: 15 August 1969
 Founder: Vikram Sarabhai
Page 31 of 125
 Director: Kailasavadivoo Sivan

 Subsidiary: Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
President lays foundation stone for Paika Rebellion memorial in Odisha

 President Ram Nath Kovind laid the foundation stone to the memorial being built in memory of the Paika
rebellion, a 200-year-old armed revolt in 1817 against the British East India Company in Odisha.
 The proposed project will come up at the foothills of Barunei hills in Khurda district, Odisha.
Extra Shots:
Odisha:
 Capital: Bhubaneswar
 Chief Minister: Naveen Patnaik
 Governor: Ganeshi Lal
 National Park: Bhitarkanika NP, Simlipal NP
Rajnath Singh flagged off massive campaign against single-use plastic

 Ministry of Defence (MoD) organized a special plogging awareness drive rally in Delhi Cantt as part of
Swachhta Pakhwada.
 The massive campaign against single-use plastic was flagged off by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 7
December 2019.
 The campaign was conducted to spread awareness against the ill-effect of plastic on the environment, bring
about behavioural change with respect to sanitation
Extra Shots:
Delhi:
Walmart to train 50,000 MSME entrepreneurs

 US retail major Walmart will train 50,000 entrepreneurs from the micro, small & medium enterprises
(MSME) sector.
 The objective will be fulfilled by opening 25 institute hubs in India in next five years which would train the
MSME entrepreneurs.
 The institutes will be opened under the ‘Walmart Vriddhi Supplier Development Programe‘ across the nation.
 These institutes would be strategically located near the manufacturing clusters and will be the part of
Walmart’s “long-term commitment to India”
Extra Shots:
Walmart Inc. is an American multinational retail corporation that operates a chain of hypermarkets, discount
department stores, and grocery stores, headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas. The company was founded by Sam
Walton in 1962 and incorporated on October 31, 1969.
 Owner: Walton family
 CEO: Doug McMillon
NMR conducted a special service for foreign tourists

 The Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) conducted a special service for foreign tourists on 9 December.
 71 tourists from countries including the US, the UK, and France travelled by a special steam engine service
from Coonoor to Ooty.
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Ministry of Tourism sanctioned a project in Sri Anandpur Sahib under its Swadesh Darshan Scheme
 The union government formulated a special action plan for the development of tourism in Sri Anandpur Sahib
parliamentary constituency under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
 Ministry of Tourism, under its Swadesh Darshan scheme, sanctioned a project Development of Heritage
Circuit: Anandpur Sahib – Fatehgarh Sahib – Chamkaur Sahib – Ferozpur –Amritsar – Khatkar Kalan –
Kalanour - Patiala in Punjab for Rs.99.95 crore in the year 2018-19.
 The execution of the project on the ground started.
EEPC celebrates 50th year of Engineering Exports Awards

 Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Minister of State Independent Charge of Civil Aviation and
Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Singh Puri, gave away the Engineering Export Promotion Awards
(EEPC) for the year 2017-2018 at a function in New Delhi.
 The next year India’s engineering exports will reach the target of USD 1 trillion.
Delhi will host 6th Indian Ocean Dialogue and Delhi Dialogue XI
 The external affairs ministry is organizing the 6th Indian Ocean Dialogue and Delhi Dialogue XI in New
Delhi during December 13-14.
 For the first time, these two events will be held consecutively.
 The theme for the Indian Ocean Dialogue is “Indo-Pacific: Re-imagining the Indian Ocean through an
Expanded Geography”, while the theme for the Delhi Dialogue is “Advancing Partnership in Indo-Pacific”.
 The themes are intended to build on the ‘growing recognition of the Indo-Pacific concept in strategic and
academic circles within the region and beyond.
Extra Shots:
Delhi:
Ministry of Culture Prahlad Singh Patel Indian Culture web portal

 Ministry of Culture launched the Indian Culture web portal in New Delhi.
 It was launched by the State for Culture and Tourism (IC), Shri Prahlad Singh Patel.
 The portal was developed by a team from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Bombay and the curation
of the data was done by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi.
 The knowledge and cultural resources of various organizations of the Ministry of Culture are now available in
the public domain on a single platform
 This is the first government-authorized portal of such kind
 The portal is a part of the Prime Minister's Digital India initiative
 It will showcase information about the rich cultural heritage of India.
Extra Shots:
Minister of State for Culture and Tourism (IC):Shri Prahlad Singh Patel
Department of Social Justice started a scheme

 Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has started the scheme of National award for outstanding
service in the field of Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug abuse.
 The scheme is applicable to institutions and individuals working in the field of prevention of alcoholism and
drug abuse.
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 The national award will be presented to the awardees on the occasion of International Day against Drug
Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 26th of June 2020.
Workshop on Bamboo cultivation to be held in Jammu

 In Jammu and Kashmir, a first of its kind workshop on Bamboo cultivation will be held on 19th and 20 of this
month in Jammu.
 Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh will inaugurate the exhibition.
 The workshop will focus on the promotion of Bamboo cultivation in the potential Kandi areas of Jammu and
its value addition as an economic activity and generate entrepreneurship and employment opportunities.
Extra Shots:
Jammu & Kashmir:
 Capitals- Jammu (Winter), Srinagar (Summer)
 Lt Governor- Girish Chandra Murmu
 National Parks: City Forest (Salim Ali) National Park, Dachigam National Park, Hemis National Park,
Kishtwar National Park
 Wildlife Sanctuaries: Baltal-Thajwas WLS, Changthang Cold Desert WLS, Gulmarg WLS, Jasrota WLS,
Karakoram (Nubra Shyok) WLS etc
ASI has identified 138 monuments as “Must See” monuments in country

 Archaeological Survey of India has identified 138 numbers of monuments as Must-See Monuments and
information thereof is made available on “Must See” portal of Archaeological Survey of India.
 There are 38 World Heritage Sites in India, out of which 22 Cultural Sites including monuments/ buildings
and caves are under the protection of Archaeological Survey of India.
 The ‘Must See’ list of ASI features first-class Indian monuments and archaeological sites including those that
feature on UNESCO’s (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)World Heritage
List.
 Such monuments and sites showcase exceptionality in terms of art and architecture, planning and design.
Extra Shots:
ASI: The Archaeological Survey of India is an Indian government agency attached to the Ministry of Culture that is
responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural monuments in the country.
It was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham who also became its first Director-General.
 Founder: Alexander Cunningham
 Founded: 1871
 Parent organisation: Ministry of Culture, Government of India
 Motto:
National Tribal Dance Festival to be held in Raipur

 A National Tribal Dance Festival will be held in Chhattisgarh’s capital Raipur from December 27 to 29.
 In the event, international folk artists from 23 states and six other countries are expected to take part and
portray their respective tribal folk culture.
 Nearly 1,400 artists belonging to 151 art troupes from 23 states and guest artists from six countries including
Sri Lanka, Belarus, Uganda and Bangladesh will participate in the three-day programme.
Extra Shots:
Chhattisgarh
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 Capital: Raipur
 Chief Minister: Bhupesh Baghel
 Governor: Anusuiya Uikey
Andhra CM launches Post-Operative Sustenance Allowance for patients

 Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy launched Dr YSR Aarogyasri Aasara scheme at the Guntur General
Hospital in Guntur.
 The main aim of the scheme is providing Post-Operative Sustenance allowance of Rs 225 per day or Rs 5000
per month during the recuperative period after treatment
 New Arograsri cards will be issued to those having an annual income less than Rs 5 lakhs. Patient’s medical
report will be included in the card that can be accessed through QR code.
Indigenous Faith Day celebrated in Arunachal Pradesh

 The Indigenous Faith Day was celebrated on December 1 throughout Arunachal Pradesh with day-long
programme. The IFCSAP calendar was also launched in the event.
 The event was organised at Zomkhang hall Tawang, whichwas graced by Venerable Dr Rikya Lhavoi
Rinpoche and Padmashree Ven Lama Thupten Phuntsok, the founding Director of Manjushree Vidyapeeth.
20th Edition of Hornbill Festival begins in Nagaland

 The 10 Days Hornbill Festival began with a colourful blend of culture and tradition with a modern twist at
Naga Heritage Kisama in Nagaland. This is the 20th edition of Hornbill Festival.
 The festival organised by Nagaland Government is an annual tourism promotional event to showcase the
state’s traditional and rich cultural heritage in all its ethnicity, diversity and grandeur.
Regional Conference on Ek Bharat-Shresht Bharat focusing on Jal Shakti, Disaster Management concludes
 The two-day Regional Conference on ‘Ek Bharat Shreshta Bharat’ focusing on ‘Jal Shakti’ and ‘Disaster
Management’ concluded with adoption of Sahyog-Sankalp resolution in Jammu.
 During the two-day conference, six technical sessions were held on wide ranging issues viz., Rejuvenation of
Rivers- Cauvery and Jhelum, Reducing Water Consumption in Agriculture, Water Warriors Discussion,
Urban flooding, NDRF Rescue operations – 2014 Srinagar floods and 2015 Chennai floods.
India, Japan hold first ‘two-plus-two’ dialogue in New Delhi

 India and Japan held their inaugural foreign and defence ministerial dialogue held in New Delhi with an aim
to give further momentum to their special strategic partnership, particularly in the maritime domain.
 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar led the Indian delegation while
the Japanese side was headed by Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and Minister of Defence Taro Kono
 The two leaders decided to institute the new mechanism for further deepening bilateral security and defence
cooperation and bring greater depth to the special strategic and global partnership between the two countries.
AIIMS sign MoU with Sweden to focus on healthy ageing, dementia

 Queen Silvia of Sweden visited AIIMS and interacted with the doctors to understand the treatment practices
and care provided by the premier health institute to patients with dementia.
 A Memorandum of Intent (MoI) has been signed between Sweden, AIIMS, New Delhi and AIIMS, Jodhpur to
set up a healthcare innovation centre to promote research, broadly in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and
help scale-up Indian startups in the sector.
Page 35 of 125
Kerala: Police launch ‘Helmet Challenge’ after helmet is made mandatory for pillion riders
 The Kerala Police launched a ‘Helmet Challenge’ through its Facebook after the government declared it
mandatory for the pillion riders to wear helmets in the state from December 1, 2019.
 In this challenge, the people have been asked to share their pictures wearing helmets. The best pictures will
feature on the Facebook page accompanied by a meme from a famous Malayalam movie.
India hands over patrol vessel “KAAMIYAAB” to Maldives

 India handed over a patrol vessel named “KAAMIYAAB” to the Maldives National Defence Force
(MNDF) during a video conference between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maldivian President Ibrahim
Mohamed Solih.
 During the event, the two countries exchanged Memoranda of Understanding for 3 grant projects for setting
up neighbourhood fish plants in the southernmost atoll of Addu.
Government launches Operation Clean Art

 Government launched the Operation Clean Art across India. The operation is aimed to crackdown illegal trade
in the mongoose hair.
 This is the first time such an operation is happening in India.It was initiated by the Wildlife Crime Control
Bureau (WCCB).
Nationwide vaccination drive launched to prevent eight diseases under Mission Indradhanush 2.0
Centre is launching nationwide vaccination drive Indradhanush 2.0 to prevent eight diseases under Intensified
Mission Indradhanush 2.0 .
 The government’s flagship scheme is aimed at immunizing children under the age of 2 years and pregnant women
against eight vaccine preventable diseases.
 The IMI 2.0 aims to achieve targets of full immunization coverage in 272 districts spread over 27 States. The IMI 2.0
will be carried out between December 2019 and March 2020.
Vice Prez M Venkaiah Naidu launches Bharatiya POSHAN Anthem

 Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu launched the “Bharatiya Poshan Anthem” which aims at taking
the message of making India malnutrition-free by 2022 to all corners of the country.
 The anthem was conceptualised by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, penned by noted lyricist
Prasoon Joshi and sung by Shankar Mahadevan.
Odisha Government launches smart learning app ‘Madhu’

 Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik launched a smart learning phone application “Madhu” app for
school children.
 The app named after Utkal Gourab Madhusudan Das.
 This app is aimed at helping school students in learning their lessons through videos and tutorials.
Delhi Traffic police signs MoU with World Resource Institute to reduce traffic in Delhi
 Delhi Traffic Police signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) World Resource Institute, India in a bid
to improve traffic management and reduce congestion in New Delhi.
 The objective of the MoU is to enable the NCT of Delhi to get a more sustainable transport system which is
safe, green and clean.
Page 36 of 125
Mumbai Central gets first ‘Eat Right Station’ certification from FSSAI
 The Mumbai Central station of Railways was conferred with the ‘Eat Right Station’ certification with four
stars rating by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) as a part of ‘Eat Right India’
movement launched last year.
 With this, Mumbai Central Railway Station becomes the country’s first “Eat Right Station.”
Extra Shots:
FSSAI HQ: New Delhi
51% Indians paid bribes in last one year, down from 56% in 2018, says survey
 According to survey released by Transparency International, fewer Indians paid bribes in the last one year
than in the preceding 12 months.
 The percentage of respondents who admitted to paying a bribe was 51% this year, as compared to 56% in the
previous survey. However, the figure for 2019 was higher than that for 2017, when it was 45%.T
 India’s ranking in the Corruption Perception Index has risen three places to 78 out of 180 countries.
PM Modi announces unique contest for students under PPC 2020 to reduce exam stress
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that a unique contest for the students of Class IX to XII will be
held in January 2020 under the Pariksha pe Charcha (PPC) 2020 programme, to reduce exam stress. The
winners will get to attend PPC 2020 early next year
 The themes given for the PPC 2020 are ‘Gratitude is Great’, ‘Your future depends on your aspirations’,
‘Examining Exams’, ‘Our duties, you take’ and ‘Balance is Beneficial’.
Cabinet approves launch of Bharat Bond Exchange Traded Fund

 The Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi approved the launch of Bharat Bond Exchange Traded
Fund (ETF) which will be the first corporate bond ETF in the country.
 ETFs invest in a basket of securities representing an index, security or commodity and are traded on the stock
exchange like any listed security.
 It will provide additional money for Central Public Sector Units (CPSUs), Central Public Sector Enterprises
(CPSEs) and other government organisations
India signs LOCs in water supply, solar projects with Guinea

 India extended Line of Credits for one water supply and two solar projects in Guinea. The development of the
solar projects reflected Guinea’s commitment to the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
 The agreements were exchanged in the presence of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Guinean
counterpart Mamadi Toure.
India achieved 28% reduction in malaria cases in 2018 : WHO report

 According to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) World Malaria Report 2019, says India was one of the
two high burden countries(India & Uganda) that achieved a 28 per cent reduction in malaria cases in 2018.
WHO reiterated accelerated efforts by member countries to achieve zero malaria by 2030.
 India’s progress means the country no longer has the world’s 4th highest malaria burden, though it still is the
only non-African country among the top 11 countries with the most malaria globally.
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Election Commission to implement ‘Political Parties Registration Tracking Management System’

 Election Commission of India has reviewed the system and process of registration of political parties. The
new guidelines will be effective from 1st January, 2020.
 Accordingly the “Political Parties Registration Tracking Management System” (PPRTMS) will be
implemented through an online portal.
Indian Ministry of Railways partners with UK for energy sustainability

 The Indian Ministry of Railways has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Department for
International Development (DFID) in the UK to achieve energy efficiency and self-sufficiency for Indian
Railways.
 The MoU covers energy planning according to governmental policies, which include moving towards 100%
greener electricity sources.
 It also aims to promote energy-efficient practises, fuel efficiency and other sustainable energy initiatives.
WEF partners with Punjab government to design pilot on Electric Vehicles ecosystem
 Punjab Government has partnered with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to design a Public-Private pilot on
shared, clean and electric mobility.
 It is a part of collaboration to be formulated at the WEF Annual Meeting in Davos in January 2020.
 Punjab is also set to get India’s first Auto Shredding Plant, with capacity to handle two lakh cars per annum in
an 8- hour shift.
India successfully carries out night test-firing of Prithvi Ballistic missile

 India has successfully carried out a night test-firing of the over 300 km strike-range Prithvi ballistic missile
off the coast of Balasore by the Strategic Forces Command.
 The testing of the indigenously developed nuclear-capable surface-to-surface Prithvi-2 missile was a part of a
user trial by the Army.
Youth skilling initiative ‘YuWaah’ launched by Centre and UNICEF

 A national initiative – YuWaah – aimed at imparting skills among the youth and providing employment to
more than 300 million young Indians was launched by Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani
with an alliance of national and international partners, including Unicef.
 India is one of the first countries to launch the YuWaah national initiative linked to the global Generation
Unlimited movement which began in New York in September 2018.
MHA sanctions Rs 100 cr from Nirbhaya Fund to set up women help desks across country
 The Ministry of Home Affairs sanctioned Rs 100 crores from the ‘Nirbhaya’ Fund for setting up and
strengthening of women help desks at police stations across the country.
 The fund will be used in making the police stations more women-friendly and approachable as they would be
the first and single point of contact for any woman walking into a police station.
Rs 24,396.19 crore collected as toll fee on National Highways in 2018-19: Nitin Gadkari
 Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said that Rs 24,396.19 crore was collected from fee plazas of the National
Highways Authority of India (NHAI) across the country in 2018-19.
 The amount of user fee collected from fee plazas with an average monthly and per day collection of Rs 2033
crore and Rs 66.84 crore respectively.
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Assam govt sets up Anti-Depredation squads

 The Assam government has set up 15 Anti-Depredation Squads of the Forest department to deal with human-
wildlife conflicts in the state.
 The anti-depredation squads will be stationed in 15 major human-wildlife conflict districts of the state to deal
with the problem and ensure the safety of both humans and animals.
Piyush Goyal inaugurates third edition of National Public Procurement Conclave

 Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurated the third edition of National Public Procurement
Conclave in New Delhi.
 The two-day conclave has been organized by Government e-Marketplace, GeM in association with
Confederation of Indian Industry.
India 5th worst country for people’s privacy, biometric data collection: Report
 According to a new report from Britain-based tech research firm Comparitech, India is fifth worst
country after China, Malaysia, Pakistan and the US in terms of extensive and invasive use of biometric data.
 India shares the fifth position with Taiwan, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Govt implementing ICDS for develp of children of 0-6 yrs group

 Union Minister Smriti Irani said that, the Centre is implementing an umbrella Integrated Child Development
Services (ICDS) scheme for holistic development of children in the age group of 0-6 years, adolescent girls,
pregnant women and lactating mothers.
 Ministry of Women and Child Development is also implementing an umbrella scheme mission for protection
and empowerment of women as a centrally sponsored scheme to channelise holistic efforts for empowerment
of women both economically and socially.
Centre releases list of 10 best Police Stations, Aberdeen in Andaman and Nicobar tops list
 The Centre on Friday released the list of 10 best police stations across the country with Aberdeen Police
Station in Andaman district of Andaman and Nicobar grabbing the first position.
 Balasinor in Mahisagar (Gujarat), Ajk Burhanpu in Burhanpur (Madhya Pradesh), AWPS Theni in Theni
(Tamil Nadu), Anini in Dibang Valley (Arunachal Pradesh), Baba Haridas Nagar, Dwarka in South West
District (Delhi), Bakani in Jhalawar (Rajasthan), Choppadandi (M) in Karimnagar (Telangana), Bicholim in
North Goa (Goa) and Bargawa in Sheopur (Madhya Pradesh) police station grabbed the second to tenth
position in consecutive order.
Rajya Sabha forms informal group to study issues related to pornographic content on Internet, social media
 Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu announced the formation of a 14-member informal group to study
issues related to pornographic content on the Internet and social media platforms.
 Congress leader Jairam Ramesh will co-ordinate the group which will submit its report within a month.
National award for outstanding services in field of Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug abuse
 Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has started the scheme of National award for outstanding
services in the field of Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug abuse.
 The national award will be presented to the awardees on the occasion of International Day against Drug
Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 26th of June 2020.
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7 Indian Cities On List Of World’s Most Popular City Destinations In 2019

 Global market research company Euromonitor International has published a list of Top 100 City Destinations
for 2019. Seven Indian cities, including the capital Delhi, have made it to the top 100 city Destinations
ranking this year.
 Notably, the number 1 spot has been grabbed by Hong Kong while New York City is the most popular
American destination on the 2019 ranking list.
 Indian Cities in top 100 City Destinations in 2019
 Delhi – 11th, Mumbai – 14th, Agra – 26th, Jaipur – 34th,Chennai – 36th, Kolkata – 74th, Bengaluru – 100th.
Maha has most employable talent, followed by TN, UP: Study

 According to the seventh edition of the India Skills Report 2020, Maharashtra topped the list of states with the
highest employable talent, followed by Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh while Mumbai, Hyderabad and Pune
stood out as the most employable cities.
 The report puts Mumbai on top, closely followed by Hyderabad.
 Bengaluru, New Delhi, Pune, Lucknow and Chennai have maintained their presence in the top 10 list over the
past 6 years.
Cabinet approves ‘Partial Credit Guarantee Scheme’

 The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval to the Partial Credit
Guarantee Scheme.
 The scheme, to be offered by the Central government to Public Sector Banks (PSBs) for purchasing high-rated
pooled assets from financially sound Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)/Housing Finance
Companies (HFCs), with the amount of overall guarantee being limited to first loss of up to 10 per cent of fair
value of assets being purchased by the banks under the Scheme, or Rs 10,000 crore, whichever is lower, as
agreed by Department of Economic Affairs (DEA).
UNESCO & MGIEP jointly organizes TECH 2019 in Visakhapatnam
 A three-day TECH (Transforming Education Conference for Humanity) 2019, being organised jointly by the
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and Mahatma Gandhi Institute
of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
 The TECH 2019 focused on unifying the agenda to create ‘Friends of UNESCO MGIEP to promote digital
technology in a sustainable way to achieve quality education equitably.
Mumbai-Nagpur corridor to be named after Bal Thackeray

 The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government decided to name the upcoming Nagpur-Mumbai Super
Communication Expressway (NMSCE) after the Shiv Sena founder-patriarch late Balasaheb Thackeray.
 The 701-km longhighway, is the longest expressway in India, is an extensive project connecting 10 districts,
26 talukas and 392 villages.
MP govt to host Orchha festival in March, 2020

The three-day Namaste Orchha festival marking the cultural landscape of Madhya Pradesh will be organised by
the state government from March 6 to March 8 in Orchha, which won the award for the best heritage city for 2017-
18.
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Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik flags off special train for senior citizens
 Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik flagged off the 1st Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Train from Balasore
in Odisha.
 The special train is accommodating senior citizens from the northern regions of Odisha to visit Haridwar in
Uttar Pradesh
37 th National Symposium of Heads of Police Training Institution in New Delhi

 The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) is organizing the 37th National Symposium of
Heads of Police Training Institutions at BPR&D Headquarters, New Delhi.
 The theme of the two day Symposium was ‘Optimal Utilization of Resources – Through Sharing and
Networking’.
 A Directory of Indian Police Training Institutions (DIPTI) was released by the Chief Guest that has
information on the resources of around 300 Police training institutions all over the country.
Amazon launches Audible Suno app in India

 Amazon-owned Audible has launched the Audible Suno app especially for Indian market.
 It features content from celebrities like Karan Johar, Tabu, Vidya Balan and Anurag Kashyap among
others.Amazon’s Audible Suno is available for free of and it features ad-free content.
Vice Prez Venkaiah naidu inaugurates FICCI ARISE conference 2019 in New Delhi
 Vice President, M. Venkaiah Naidu, Inaugurating the FICCI ARISE Conference on School Education in New
Delhi. The theme for this year’s FICCI ARISE Conference was ‘Future Ready Learners and Schools’.
 The 2 day Conference witnessed participation of more than 700 delegates including state and central
government officials, regulators, prominent educators, think tanks, consulting firms and institutions from
across India and the world
Kerala launches ‘Vijayamritham’ & ‘Sahachari’ schemes to support differently-abled people

 The Kerala state government has launched two social welfare schemes – ‘Vijayamritham’ and ‘Sahachari’ to
honour differently-abled people as well as NSS, NCC and Student Police Cadet (SPC) units working for their
care and welfare.
 The ‘Vijayamritham’ scheme has been introduced to provide financial assistance for differently-abled people
who battled odds and scored high marks in degree, PG and professional courses.
 Sahachari Scheme will honour NSS, NCC and Student Police Cadet (SPC) units that assist people, with over
40% disability, in their studies and other tasks. The Department of Social Justice has earmarked an amount of
Rs. 40,000/- for each district.
Japanese movie ‘They Say Nothing Stays The Same’ Bags ‘Suvarna Chakoram’ at 24th IFFK
 Japanese movie ‘They Say Nothing Stays the Same’, directed by actor and musician Joe Odagiri bagged the
‘Suvarna Chakoram’ (The Golden Crow Pheasant) award at the 24th edition of the International Film Festival
of Kerala (IFFK).
 Brazilian director Allan Deberton was awarded the ‘Rajatha Chakoram’ (The Silver Crow Pheasant), for the
best director for his movie ‘Pacarrete’.
 Malayalam movie ‘Veyilmarangal’ (Trees Under the Sun), directed by renowned filmmaker Dr Biju bagged
the NETPAC Award for the best Malayalam film.
 Fahim Irshad for Aani Maani bagged the FFSI K R Mohanan Award for Best Debut Director.
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India’s NAVIC satellites approved to join US ‘allied’ system

 Along with the Galileo of the European Union and QZSS of Japan, the US Congress has given its nod to
designate India’s NAVIC as its “allied” navigational satellite system.
 Autonomous regional satellite navigation system, NAVIC is indigenously developed system that provides
accurate real-time positioning and timing services.
7th Economic Census: India’s 1st digital census launched in New Delhi
7th edition of the Economic Census was launched in New Delhi.
 To carry out the economic census, Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation (MoSPI) tied up with
Common Service Centres Network (CSCN). CSC is an SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) under Ministry of
Electronics and IT(MeitY).
 It is for the first time the census is being conducted in digital platform named ICT (Information and
Communication Technology).
 Delhi is the 26th state where the survey has been launched. The survey process is already on in 20 states and
5 UTs (Union Territories).
Govt. mandates FASTag from 15 December

 The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had announced that FASTags will become mandatory for all
vehicles, private and commercial from 15 December.
 Earlier the deadline was set to 1 December 2019.
 If the vehicle owners do not have a FASTag, they should pay twice the regular amount if you pass a toll booth
and your vehicle.
Extra Shots:
 Minister of Road Transport and Highways: Nitin Gadkari
Ministry of Coal to establish “Sustainable Development Cell” to promote clean mining

 The Coal Ministry will establish ‘Sustainable Development Cell’ (SDC) for promoting sustainable coal
mining in the country.
 It will address environmental concerns during the decommissioning or closure of mines.
 The Cell will advise, mentor, plan and monitor the mitigation measures taken by the coal companies for
maximizing the utilization of available resources in a sustainable way, minimizing the adverse impact of
mining and mitigating it for further eco-system services.
Extra Shots:
 Minister of Coal: Piyush Goyal
Bureau of Energy Efficiency organises 29th National Energy Conservation Awards

 Bureau of Energy Efficiency has organised the “29th National Energy Conservation Awards” under the
guidance of Ministry of Power, Government of India.
 India celebrates the National Energy Conservation Day every year on 14th December to recognise and
celebrate the efforts towards energy conservation.
 The day highlights the importance of energy conservation in Country’s sustainable development approach.
Extra Shots:
BEE: The Bureau of Energy Efficiency is an agency of the Government of India, under the Ministry of Power
created in March 2002 under the provisions of the nation's 2001 Energy Conservation Act. The agency's function is to
develop programs which will increase the conservation and efficient use of energy in India.
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 Official website: beeindia.gov.in

 Founded: 1 March 2002
 Headquarters: Delhi
Ministry of Coal to establish Sustainable Development Cell

 The Ministry of Coal announced that it is to establish a Sustainable Development Cell in the country.
 The cell will gain significance as the new private entities will form a significant part of the future.
 It also plans to set guidelines for proper rehabilitation of mines in tune with the global best practices.
 The aim of the cell is to promote environmentally sustainable coal mining in India.
 It will also address environmental concerns during the decommissioning or closure of mines.
Extra Shots:
 Minister of Coal: Piyush Goyal
Union government launches National Broadband Mission

 The Union government has launched National Broadband Mission to provide Broadband access to all villages
by 2022.
 The mission aims to connect 600,000 villages across India with an investment of Rs 7 lakh crore in the next 4
years from both government and private sector.
 The mission is a part of the National Digital Communications Policy, 2018.
 The mission will secure universal broadband access for implementation of broadband initiatives and aims to
offer Internet speed upto 50 Mbps in a phased manner.
Government launched the sale of Khadi Rumal

 Government launched the sale of 'Khadi Rumal' on 17 December 2019.
 It was launched by the Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Nitin Gadkari.
 He announced 50% increase in the remuneration of women workers to Rs.3 per piece from Rs.2 per piece
presently.
 Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has signed an agreement with Paytm to increase the
outreach and availability of these Rumals through a digital platform.
Khadi Rumal:
♦ KVIC has set the target to sell 5 Crore pieces of Khadi Rumal initially.
♦ In order to create 5 Crore pieces of Khadi Rumal, nearly 15 lakh Kgs of cotton will be consumed.
♦ It is an opportunity for every Indian citizen to be a part of the Nation Building.
NITI Aayog to include eggs, fish, chicken, and meat in PDS

 Niti Aayog Plans to include eggs, fish, chicken, and meat, possibly through its public distribution system.
 The aim of the proposal is to improve India's low nutrition ranking at the global level.
 This is expected to be part of Niti Aayog's 15-year Vision Document.
 The document will be in place by early 2020 with effect from 1 April 2020.
 NITI Aayog aims to widen the list of food items under the public distribution system and include at least one
or more food items.
Extra Shots:
NITI Aayog: The NITI Aayog is a policy think tank of the Government of India, established with the aim to achieve
sustainable development goals with cooperative federalism by fostering the involvement of State Governments of
India in the economic policy-making process using a bottom-up approach.
Page 43 of 125

 Chairperson: Narendra Modi
Centre to extend 2 years for AMRUT scheme

 The Centre has decided to extend the mission period of the flagship initiative Atal Mission for Rejuvenation
and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) by two more years.
 The government was unable to meet the set targets for urban renewal in 500 cities.
 AMRUT was launched on 25 June 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
 The initiative will complete its mission period in March 2020.
Govt approves Rs 436 cr outlay for skilling 4 lakh persons

 The government announced Rs 436 crore outlay for skilling 4 lakh professionals in futuristic areas such as
artificial intelligence, blockchain, and cybersecurity over the next 3 years.
 The ”Future Skills PRIME” programme will be jointly rolled out by the information technology ministry and
industry body Nasscom and will seek to position the initiative as India stack for digital talent.
 The programme will increase employability.
GST Council fixes 28% uniform tax rate for lottery

 The Goods and Services Tax or GST Council has fixed a uniform tax rate of 28% on both state-run and
private lottery.
 It also decided to rationalise the GST rate on woven and non-woven bags to 18%.
 It was for the first time that the GST Council resorted to voting to decide on an issue as it fixed a uniform tax
rate on both state and private lotteries.
50% concession for ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ participants

 Indian Railways has decided to grant 50% concession for the youth participating in the “Ek Bharat Shrestha
Bharat” programme.
 The concession will be given in basic fares of Second and Sleeper Class to youths with emoluments of not
more than 5000 rupees per month for travelling from one State to another State to take part in the programme.
 The concession has been granted as a special case and it is admissible only in the normal train services and
not for booking of Special Trains or Coaches.
Extra Shots:
Chennai Corporation launches India’s first waste exchange platform

 Chennai Corporation, Tamil Nadu launched India’s first waste exchange platform namely “Madras Waste
Exchange” (www.madraswasteexchange.com) to buy and sell municipal solid waste online.
 It will run on a pilot basis for the first three months. Based on the response from public and waste recyclers,
more features will be added to the website.
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 The Madras Waste Exchange, which is both a web portal and an application, has been conceptualised by the
Smart City Mission, with support from the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
Extra Shots:
Tamilnadu
 Capital: Chennai
 Chief Minister: Edappadi K.Palanisamy
 Governor: Banwarilal Purohit
 Chief Justice of Madras High Court: Vijaya Kamlesh Tahilramani
 National Park: Guindy NP,Gulf of Mannar Marine NP, Indira Gandhi (Annamalai) NP, Mudumalai NP,
Mukurthi NP.
Harsh Vardhan inaugurated CGHS Wellness Centre at Vikaspuri

 Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan inaugurated the new Central Government
Health Scheme (CGHS) Wellness Centre at Vikaspuri, New Delhi.
 CGHS services have been planned to be extended to 100 cities.
 Currently, the scheme is operational across 72 Cities through 329 Allopathic Wellness Centres and 86
AYUSH Centres.
 CGHS service serves 12.09 lakh primary cardholders and 35.72 lakh beneficiaries.
 Among the total benefits, around 17 lakh beneficiaries belong to Delhi and NCR.
Portugal announces Gandhi Citizenship Education Prize

 Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa announced the setting up of a Gandhi Citizenship Education Prize.
 Portugal will be launching a Gandhi Citizenship Education Prize, each year inspired by his different thoughts
and quotes.
 The first edition of this prize will be dedicated to animal welfare as Mahatma Gandhi said that the greatness of
a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.
Afghanistan becomes 1st country to recognize Indian Pharmacopoeia
 The Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) has been recognised formally by the National Department of Regulation of
Medicines and Health Products of the Ministry of Public Health of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
 With this Afghanistan has become the 1st country to recognize IP pursuant to the efforts of Department of
Commerce and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
 IP is an officially recognized book of standards as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules 1945
thereunder.
 It specifies the standards of drugs manufactured and marketed in India in terms of their identity, purity and
strength.
 To ensure the quality of medicinal products, the legal and scientific standards are provided by Indian
Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) in the form of Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP).
Extra Shots:
Afghanistan (Capital/Currency): Kabul/ Afghan afghani
 President: Ashraf Ghani
First vegetable shipment from Varanasi flagged off to Dubai via sea route
 First trial shipment of fresh vegetables sourced from the Varanasi region flagged off from Mumbai to Dubai
via sea route.
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 The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) as part of its efforts
to promote exports from India's agriculture produce rich regions sent the first trial shipment of vegetables by
sea route from Varanasi to Dubai, Commerce and Industry Ministry. The potential of the production of fruits
and vegetables in Varanasi region comprising of 5 districts -- Ghazipur, Jaunpur, Chandauli, Mirzapur and
SantRavidas Nagar.
Extra Shots:
UAE (Capital/Currency): Abu Dhabi/Dirham
 President: Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
India constructs Girls’ Hostel for Nepal Armed Police Force

 The Govt. of India has constructed Girls’ Hostel for Nepal Armed Police Force School, Kirtipur, Nepal.
 Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India, Dr Ajay Kumar inaugurated hostel building.
 Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) School is an academic institution created under the APF Welfare Service
Centre of Nepal Armed Police Force.
 The school was established in 2005 and it has over 21 per cent of girls students.
Extra Shots:
Nepal (Capital/Currency): Kathmandu/ Nepalese rupee
 President: Bidhya Devi Bhandari
 Prime Minister: KP Sharma Oli
Indian Railways to Procure 44 rakes of Vande Bharat Trains from ICF

 Shri Narendra Modi flagged off the Vande Bharat trainset on New Delhi -Varanasi route on 15th February
2019.
 The Train set service between New Delhi and Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Katra flagged off by Hon'ble Home
Minister Shri Amit Shah on 3rd October 2019.
 Integral Coach Factory published for the supply of electrical equipment and other items for 44 Trainsets of 16
coaches each.
 The procurement process promotes transparency, accountability, speed of delivery.
Extra Shots:
Central government to organize 100 Hunar Haats in next five years

 Union Government decided to organize a hundred Hunar Haat across the country in the next five years.
 The market exposure and employment opportunities to artisans, artisans, and traditional culinary experts.
 The 100 Hunar Hubs in different parts of the country wherein training is being provided to master artisans,
artisans, and traditional culinary experts.
 Around two lakh 65 thousand artisans and craftsmen employed Hunar Haat in the last two years.
Govt approved projects worth Rs 7000 cr under Nirbhaya fund

 The NIRBHAYA Fund projects of Rs 7,000 crore, including setting up of 1,023 fast-track courts approved by
the Modi government, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani.
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 The 23-year-old Delhi gangrape victim, then Congress-led government had announced setting up Nirbhaya
Fund of Rs 1,000 crore for safety and empowerment of women in the Budget presented in February 2013.
Urban India declared Open defecation free

 Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban has achieved its target of creating Urban India Open Defecation Free.
 Urban areas of 35 states and Union Territories have become ODF. In all, 4,320 cities out of 4,372 have
declared themselves ODF, of which 4,167 cities have been certified through third-party verification.
 This has been achieved by the construction of nearly 65.81 lakh individual household toilets against Mission
target of 59 lakhs and 5.89 lakh seats of public toilets against Mission target of 5.08 lakh seats.
‘Oxygen Parlour’ at Nashik Railway Station to combat air pollution

 In a unique initiative to battle rising air pollution in cities, an ‘Oxygen Parlour’ has been opened at Nashik
railway station to provide an experience of breathing clean air to the commuters.
 The initiative comes with the efforts of Airo Guard in collaboration with the Indian Railways.
 The concept of Oxygen Parlour is based on the recommendation of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA).
 There are around 1500 plants here, so, these plants can directly and effectively bring down the pollution in the
air at the railway station and allow the people to breathe cleaner air.
Extra Shots:
Maharashtra:
 Capital: Mumbai
 Chief Minister: Uddhav Thackeray
 Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari
 National Parks: Chandoli National Park, Nawegaon National Park, Gugamal National Park, Pench National
Park, Sanjay Gandhi (Borivilli) National Park, Tadoba National Park
 Wildlife Sanctuaries: Amba Barwa WLS, Bor WLS, Great Indian Bustard WLS,
 Lonar WLS, Melghat WLS, Gangewadi New Great Indian Bustard WLS, etc..
President Ram Nath Kovind releases mobile app of Red Cross Society of India
 President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind visited Secunderabad, Telangana, his annual southern sojourn at
Rashtrapati Nilayam from December 20 to 28, 2019.
 President launches a mobile app of the Indian Red Cross Society, Telangana State Branch at Raj Bhavan,
Hyderabad.
 On December 25, 2019, President will visit the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Vivekananda Kendra in
Kanniyakumari.
 The President will host a reception for senior dignitaries.
Extra Shots:
Telangana
 Capital: Hyderabad
 Chief Minister: K. Chandrashekar Rao
 Governor: Tamilisai Soundararajan
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WHO 1st time approved Biosimilar of “Trastuzumab” for breast cancer treatment
 The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that for the 1st time it had approved a “biosimilar”
medicine of Trastuzumab named “Ontruzant” to make cheaper breast cancer treatment at an affordable rate to
women globally.
 The medicine is derived from living sources rather than chemicals.
 The biosimilar medicine of the Trastuzumab drug was supplied by Samsung Bioepis co Ltd.
Extra Shots:
WHO: The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is concerned with
international public health. It was established on 7 April 1948, and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The
WHO is a member of the United Nations Development Group.
 Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
 Head: Tedros Adhanom
 Founded: 7 April 1948
“National Symposium of Poets 2020” organized by All India Radio

 All India Radio organized the National Symposium of Poets 2020. Select poets of all 22 languages recognized
in the constitution participated in the symposium.
 It is being held every year since 1956.
 The poets from all corners of the country gave their presentations and captivated the hearts of the people
during the symposium.
 The symposium will be broadcasted on the eve of Republic Day and at all the centers of AIR.
Extra Shots:
All India Radio, officially known since 1956 as Akashvani, is the national public radio broadcaster of India and is a
division of Prasar Bharati. It was established in 1936. It is the sister service of Prasar Bharati's Doordarshan, an
Indian television broadcaster.
 Motto: Bahujanahitaya Bahujanasukhaya /
 Founded: 1930, India
 Owner: Prasar Bharati
Gen Bipin Rawat named as country’s 1st Chief of Defence Staff

 Indian Army General Bipin Rawat has been named as the country’s first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
 The Chief of Defence Staff will be a 4-star General, the principal military advisor to the defence minister, and
will head the new Department of Military Affairs.
 The Chief of Defence Staff will ensure the jointness in training, logistics and procurement of the three
services.
 General Rawat is the first officer to hold the post of the Chief of Defence Staff
 The Defence Ministry had also amended the army, air force and navy rules by bringing in a new clause that
allows the CDS to serve upto a maximum age of 65 years.
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NITI Aayog to launch second edition of Sustainable Development Goals India Index
 NITI Aayog launches the second edition of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index in New
Delhi.
 The Index documents the progress made by India’s States and Union Territories towards implementing the
2030 SDG targets.
 NITI Aayog launches the Dashboard 2019-20.
Extra Shots:
The NITI Aayog is a policy think tank of the Government of India, established with the aim to achieve sustainable
development goals with cooperative federalism by fostering the involvement of State Governments of India in the
economic policy-making process using a bottom-up approach.
 Website: niti.gov.in
 Objectives: Foster involvement and participation in the economic policy-making process by the State
Governments of India
 Jurisdiction: Government of India
 Chairperson: Narendra Modi
Nirmala Sitharaman launches common e-auction platform for assets attached by banks
 Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched eBkray, an online platform to increase the transparency in
auctioning of assets attached by banks.
 The platform is equipped with property search features, and navigational links to all PSB e-auction sites
provide single-window access to information on properties up for e-auction as well as a facility for
comparison of similar properties photographs and videos of uploaded properties.
Extra Shots:
 Finance Minister: Nirmala Sitharaman
Now one can withdraw 75% EPF if jobless for 1 month

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has amended the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) Scheme to allow its
members to withdraw money from the corpus if he/she remains unemployed for more than one month. This rule will
come into effect from December 6.
According to the notification, a member of EPF can now withdraw money for a maximum up to 75 per cent of the
credit balance from his/her account if he/she remains unemployed for a period not less than one month.
Trai extends six paise per min IUC charge to other networks till Dec 2020
Telecom operators will continue to pay 6 paise per minute for every outgoing call made to their competitors’ network
till December 31, 2020.
The rate was reduced to 6 paise with effect from October 1, 2017 from 14 paise charged earlier and it was to become
nil from January 1, 2020.
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Mission on Urban renewal extended by 2yrs to 2022

Unable to meet set targets for urban renewal in 500 cities, the Centre has decided to extend the mission period of its
flagship initiative Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) by two more years to 2022
from 2020.
The initiative aimed to provide 139 lakh water connections by March 2020, 145 lakh sewer connections, stormwater
drainage projects, parks, and green spaces and LED streetlights.
Skill Development Ministry to set up 500 skill hubs and labs in govt schools
Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Ministry has finalized a plan for setting up 500 skill hubs and labs in
government schools. It has taken several initiatives to in order to achieve its vision of a Skilled India.
India is world’s third largest producer of scientific articles, China leads

According to a latest US National Science Foundation (NSF) report, India has emerged as the world’s third largest
publisher of science and engineering articles after China followed by USA.
India published 48,998 science and engineering articles. This increased to 1,35,788 articles in 2018 and the country
now accounts for 5.31 per cent of the total world publications in science and engineering.
CACS & e-BCAS launched to enhance security & ease of doing at airports
 Minister of State (I/C) for Civil Aviation launched the Biometric enabled Centralised Access Control System
(CACS) and ‘e-BCAS Project Training Module’.
 The two projects aims to enhance security and ease of doing business at airports.
 The CACS project is aimed to digitize the employee movement process at the airports.
 This multi-layered security system encompasses the uniqueness of the Airport Entry Permit (AEP) users,
biometric authentication in addition to PIN-based identity verification through contactless smart card
technology.
 The ‘e-BCAS’ project envisaged to achieve a “paperless office” under e-Governance initiative of Government
of India.
 The ‘e-BCAS Project: Training Module’ aims to switch from manual process of training to digital platform.
Indian Railways introduces a new Passenger Information System

 Indian Railways introduced a new “Passenger Information System” at Anakapalle Railway Station of
Vijayawada Division in South Central Railway.
 The comprises “At a Glance Display Board” which gives a glance of the status of various train timings at the
Station and “Coach Guidance Display Board” which provides the Coach Composition position of a train.
 The application aims to provide better features and easy guidance to the passengers and hence providing
satisfactory user experience.
 The system provides automated display information about the trains expected at the station in the next two
hours in Trilingual form i.e. in three languages: Telugu, English and Hindi.
Extra Shots:
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GoM constituted to expedite revival plan of BSNL & MTNL

 A Group of Ministers (GoM) has been constituted to to expedite revival plan of BSNL & MTNL. The GoM
will fast-track and oversee the implementation of the Rs 69,000 crore revival plan for state-owned telecom
corporations BSNL and MTNL.
 The GoM includes Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, IT and Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Home
Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Oil
Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
 The government had approved a Rs 69,000 crore revival package for BSNL and MTNL.
Extra Shots:
BSNL: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, d/b/a BSNL is an Indian state-owned telecommunications company,
headquartered in New Delhi, Delhi, India. It was incorporated by Government of India on 1 October 2000. It provides
mobile voice and internet services through its nationwide telecommunications network across India.
 CEO: Pravin Kumar Purwar
 Number of employees: 1,74,216
 Subsidiary: BSNL Mobile
MTNL: Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited, d/b/a MTNL, is a state-owned telecommunications service provider
and wholly owned subsidiary of BSNL headquartered in New Delhi, Delhi, India. MTNL Provides services in the
metro cities of Mumbai and New Delhi in India and in the island nation of Mauritius in Africa.
 CEO: Sunil Kumar
Aadhaar and PAN linking deadline extended to March 2020

 The deadline to link the permanent account number (PAN) with Aadhaar extended till 31 March 2020 by the
Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) through an order.
 The date extended from 31st December 2019 to 31st March 2020.
 The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) frames policy for the I-T department.
Extra Shots:
Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identity number that can be obtained voluntarily by residents or passport holders of
India, based on their biometric and demographic data.
 Launch year: 2009
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 How to apply: uidai.gov.in/enrolment-update/aadhaar-enrolment.html

 Launched by: Manmohan Singh
 Ministry: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
India plans $35 billion power reforms to revive ailing utilities
 India is planning another wave of reforms aimed at turning around its struggling power retailers.
 The initiative is still under consideration for the declining to provide details.
 The reforms could cost as much as 2.5 trillion rupees ($35 billion) over five years, according to people with
knowledge of the issue.
State Current Affairs News

e-yAna’ taxi service introduced in Hyderabad to reduce carbon footprints
 In a bid to combat pollution in the city, electric autos and bikes service ‘e-yAna’ has been introduced
in Hyderabad which is a True Green First Exclusive Fleet Service of the city launched to reduce the carbon
footprint.
Nagaland celebrates Statehood Day

 President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the people of Nagaland on its 57th
Statehood Day on 01st December 2019.
 Nagaland, a mountainous state in northeast India bordering Myanmar, became the 16th state of the country on
01st December 1963.
Extra Shots:
Nagaland:
 Capital: Kohima
 Chief Minister: Neiphiu Rio
 Governor: RN Ravi
 National Park: Intanki National Park
 Wildlife Sanctuary: Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary, Puliebadze Wildlife Sanctuary, Rangapahar Wildlife
Sanctuary
Inner Line Permit regime extended to Manipur, Prez Kovind signs order
 President Ram Nath Kovind signed an order to extend Inner Line Permit (ILP) to Manipur. Manipur is the
fourth state after Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram where the ILP regime has been made applicable.
 To visit the ILP-regime states, outsiders, including people from other states of the country, need to take
permission.
Nagaland CM inaugurates Multi Media Exhibition

 Ministry of Information & Broadcasting is organising a “Multi Media Exhibition” at World War II museum,
Kisama in Nagaland.
 It has been organised to commemorate the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
 The event aims to present Gandhian values and principles both to the people and through the people in
contemporary idiom.
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 During the event, late Natwar Thakkar was also remembered. Lt. Thakkar, is popularly known as Nagaland’s
Gandhi, and has invoked on Gandhiji’s values and principles during his lifetime.
 He had worked tirelessly for the poor and people affected with disability.
 He was also awarded the Padma Shri in 1999.
Extra Shots:
Nagaland:
 Capital: Kohima
Sanctuary
Andhra cabinet approves Disha Act providing for harsher punishments for crimes against women
 Andhra Pradesh Cabinet under Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy approved the enactment of the Andhra
Pradesh Criminal Law (Amendment) Act also known as the Disha Act that provides for harsher punishments,
including death sentence, to those guilty of heinous crimes against women.
 The cabinet also approved the Andhra Pradesh Special Court for Specified Offences against Women and
Children Act 2019,decided to set up a new department to bring village and ward volunteers.
 The Cabinet approved to make Telugu as a mandatory subject in all the schools in the state
Hornbill Festival is being celebrated in Nagaland

 The 10-day-long Hornbill Festival of Nagaland began at Kisama, Nagaland on 1 December 2019.
 The 20th edition of the Hornbill festival was inaugurated by the State Governor R.N. Ravi.
 The Hornbill festival is organized by the Nagaland State Government.
 It is an annual tourism promotional event.
 The festival aims to pay rich tribute to the Naga leaders, who under extremely challenging circumstances,
secured for the people, the Nagaland State with special status.
 The festival showcases Nagaland's traditional and rich cultural heritage in all its ethnicity, diversity and
grandeur.
 The festival reminds the rich cultural heritage of Naga tribes.
Extra Shots:
Nagaland:
 Capital: Kohima
Sanctuary
Country’s first aqualab to be set up in Dehradun

 The first aqualab stone under the National Mission for Clean Ganga was laid by the state forest minister in
Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
 The aquatic life forms found in the 2525 km long Ganges River would be preserved in the country’s first
centralized Ganga Aqualabs .
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 The first of its kind for any river in the country will maintain genes of each species that are found in the river
along with the elaboration of reference data of the river that is undergoing tremendous changes due to the
extraction of rampant water.
Indigenous Faith Day was celebrated in Tezu

 The Indigenous Faith Day (IFD) 2019 was celebrated on 1 December in Tezu, Arunachal Pradesh.
 The Day aims to preserve the rich culture and identity of the State.
 The function was presided by Tezu legislator Karikho Kri.
 The programme was organized by the Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP)
of Tezu.
Extra Shots:
Arunachal Pradesh:
 Capital: Itanagar
 Chief Minister: Pema Khandu
 Governor: B.D.Mishra
 National Park: Mouling National Park, Namdapha National Park
India’s first hybrid annuity model-based STP inaugurated in Haridwar

 India’s first hybrid annuity model in sewerage sector, a 14 MLD Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) was
inaugurated in Sarai, Haridwar under the Namami Gange project of National Mission for Clean Ganga
(NMCG).
 The Sarai 14 MLD STP has been developed at a cost of Rs. 41.40 crores.
Kerala mandates helmets for pillion riders

 Kerala State government implemented the High Court directives of making helmets mandatory for pillion
riders.
 Transport Commissioner of the State has directed strict checking of vehicles.
Extra Shots:
Kerala:
 Capital: Thiruvananthapuram
 Chief Minister: Pinarayi Vijayan
 Governor: Arif Mohammed Khan
 Festivals: Onam, Vishu, Thrissur Pooram, Nehru Trophy Boat Race
 National Parks: Anamudi Shola National Park, Eravikulam National Park, Mathikettan Shola National Park,
Pambadum Shola National Park, Periyar National Park,Silent Valley National Park
 Wildlife Sanctuaries: Aralam WLS, Chimmony WLS, Idukki WLS, Periyar WLS, Wayanad WLS, Peppara
WLS, Neyyar WLS, Kurinjimala WLS, Malabar WLS etc
UP govt announces 25% subsidy & full stamp duty waiver for defence industry
 Uttar Pradesh government has decided to provide 25 per cent subsidy and 100 per cent stamp duty waiver for
setting up the defence industry in the state.
 The state government will also provide all facilities including power, road and fencing of land to the
companies that will set up defence industries.
Extra Shots:
Uttar Pradesh:
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 Capital: Lucknow
 Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath
 Governor: Anandiben Patel
 Nation Park: Dudhwa National Park
Punjab CM announces free police help to drop women safely home at night
 Due to growing concerns over safety of women, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh
announced free police help to drop women safely home if they are stranded outside between 9 pm and 6 am.
 The state-wide facility will be available on DIAL 100, 112 and 181, through which the woman caller will be
connected immediately to the Police Control Room (PCR).
Himachal Pradesh approved to sell Yamuna water

 The Himachal Pradesh State Cabinet approved to sign the memorandum of understanding (MoU) to sell the
water of River Yamuna from Maharashtra's share at Tajewala corridor.
 The Cabinet meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur.
 With this decision, the State would earn Rs.21 crore per annum.
Extra Shots:
Himachal Pradesh:
 State formed on: 25 January 1971
 Governor: Bandaru Dattatreya
 Chief Justice: Lingappa Narayana Swamy
 Chief Minister: Jai Ram Thakur
 Official language: Hindi
Odisha launches ‘Madhu’ app to help school students

 Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has launched ‘Madhu’ app. It is an e-learning mobile phone
application which will help school students to understand their subjects in a better and most efficient way.
 The app is named after ‘Utkal Gourab’ Madhusudan Das.
 The app is developed by Ganjam district administration for school students.
Extra Shots:
Odisha:
UP approved Noida-Greater Noida Metro construction project

 Uttar Pradesh State government approved the construction of an extension line of the Noida-Greater Noida
Metro.
 The State also allocated a sum of Rs.2,682 crore for the project.
 The decision was approved at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The
announcement was made by Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC).
Extra Shots:
Uttar Pradesh:
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Punjab partnered with WEF to promote electric mobility

 Punjab State government partnered with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to design a Public-Private pilot
on shared, clean and electric mobility.
 The move aims to combat the growing problem of environmental pollution in the state.
 The state is preparing its own EV policy to support the adoption of e-vehicles.
 WEF chose Punjab, as it is well-positioned for shared EV transition.
Extra Shots:
Punjab
 Capital: Chandigarh
 Chief Minister: Captain Amarinder Singh
 Governor: V.P. Singh Badnore
Karnataka govt. and NDMA conducts workshop on 2020 Heatwave

 National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), in collaboration with the Government of Karnataka,
organized a two-day national workshop titled on Preparedness, Mitigation, and Management of Heat Wave in
Bengaluru, Karnataka.
 The workshop is conducted to emphasize the importance of Climate Change that has led to the rise of average
summer temperature by 0.5 deg C in the past five years.
Extra Shots:
Karnataka:
 Capital: Bengaluru
 Chief Minister: B. S. Yediyurappa
 Governor: Vajubhai Vala
 National Park: Anshi NP, Bandipur NP, Bannerghatta NP, Kudremukh NP, Rajiv Gandhi (Nagarahole) NP.
Avantee mega Food Park inaugurated in Dewas, MP
 The Union Minister for food processing inaugurated Avantee mega Food Park in Dewas, Madhya Pradesh.
 This first food park of central India is spread over 51 acres and has been constructed at a cost of about 150
crore rupees.
 About 5 thousand local people will get employment from this Mega Food Park. Processing of soybean, gram,
wheat and other grains and vegetables will be done in the park.
Extra Shots:
Madhya Pradesh:
 Capital: Bhopal
Satpura NP
The 2nd Nagaland Honey Bee Day was celebrated on 5 December

 The 2nd Nagaland Honey Bee Day was celebrated on 5 December 2019 at the Heritage, Old DC Bungalow,
Kohima, Nagaland.
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 It aims to give more effort to continue on mission for more production of honey and to make Nagaland a
Honey destination.
 Theme: The theme of the Honey Bee Day is Save Bee Save Life.
 The program was organized by Nagaland Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) with support from North
East Council (NEC).
Extra Shots:
Nagaland
 Capital: Kohima
Odisha to merge Kalia scheme with PM Kisan scheme

 The Odisha government is to merge the State's Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation
(Kalia) scheme with the Centre's Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) yojana due to financial
constraint.
KALIA Scheme:
♦ KALIA Chhatravritti scheme was launched by the Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in December 2018.
♦ Under the scheme farmers, mostly small and marginal cultivators will get Rs.10,000 in two installments for two
crops in a year. The landless agricultural farmers eligible to get Rs.12,000 per annum for three years.
PM-Kisan scheme:
♦ Under the PM-Kisan scheme, the central government is providing annually Rs.6,000 in three equal installments to
about 14 crore farmers.
Extra Shots:
Odisha:
Centre sanctions Rs.100 crores to set up Women Help Desks in Police Stations
 The central government has sanctioned a sum Rs.100 crores from Nirbhaya Fund to set up and strengthen
Women Help Desks in Police Stations.
 The scheme will implemented by the States and Union Territories.
 Women Help Desks will focus on making the Police Stations more women-friendly and approachable
 The government has considered that it would be the first and single point of contact for any woman walking
into a police station.
 Lady police officers will be deployed at these help desks.
Telangana CM releases book on Kaleswaram project

 Chief Minister K.Chandrasekhar Rao has released a book in Telugu on ‘Kaleswaram Project — Telangana’s
chariot of Progress’ authored by Officer on Special Duty, Irrigation to the Chief Minister, Sridhar Rao
Deshpande.
 The author explained in detail the efforts of Chief Minister Chandrasekhar Rao right from the conception of
project and research done by using Google earth software and data of water flow from Central Water
Commission in his book.
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Extra Shots:
Telangana
 Capital: Hyderabad
 Chief Minister: K. Chandrashekar Rao
 Governor: Tamilisai Soundararajan
Assam govt sets up Anti-Depredation squads

 The Assam government has set up 15 Anti-Depredation Squads of the Forest department to deal with human-
wildlife conflicts in the state.
 The anti-depredation squads will be stationed in 15 major human-wildlife conflict districts of the state to deal
with the problem and ensure the safety of both humans and animals.
 The Forest Department has engaged specially trained 50 front line staff to handle conflict situations with 100
more staff to be trained in the coming days.
Extra Shots:
Assam:
 Capital: Dispur
 Chief Minister: Sarbananda Sonowal
 Governor: Jagdish Mukhi
 National Park: Dibru-Saikhowa NP, Kaziranga NP, Manas NP, Nameri NP, Rajiv Gandhi Orang NP
J&K govt approves Leave Travel Concession in favour of its employees

 Jammu and Kashmir Government has approved the Leave Travel Concession (LTC) in favour of its
employees.
 The move is to benefit more than 3.5 lakh, regular government employees.
 The rules as per the notification shall be deemed to have come into force from the date of 31st of October
2019 and had been entitled as Jammu & Kashmir Civil Services (Leave Travel Concession) Rules, 2019.
Extra Shots:
Jammu & Kashmir:
First Pashu Kisan credit cards were launched in Haryana

 The First Pashu Kisan credit cards in India were distributed to 101 animal farmers in Bhiwani, Haryana on 6
December at the Animal Farmers Credit Card Scheme launching ceremony.
 The State government has set a target to issue 10 lakh Pashu Kisan Credit cards by March 2021. The State
aims to double the income of farmers in the state.
Extra Shots:
Haryana:
 Chief Minister: Manohar Lal Khattar
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 Governor: Satyadev Narayan Arya

 National Park: Sultanpur National Park, Kalesar National Park
Human Library event in Mysuru

 Human Library event, a concept which seeks to replace books with humans, will be held in the City of
Palaces, Mysuru, Karnataka.
 The first event of the Human Library aims to break past long-standing prejudices and stereotypes by creating
a safe framework for conservation by using a library analogy of lending people rather than books.
Extra Shots:
The notion of Human Library was initially launched in the year 2000 and currently exists in more than 85 countries,
known as The Human Library Organization. In India, Human Library is spread across various metropolitan cities
including Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru.
Haryana CM inaugurates Integrated Command and Control Centre

 Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has inaugurated Gurgaon’s ambitious Integrated Command and
Control Centre (ICCC).
 It has been developed as the nerve centre to provide multifaceted online smart services to people.
 The ICCC has been designed to serve as the nodal point for all online data related to the Smart City
applications.
 The Integrated Command and Control Centre was built at the cost of 38 crore rupees.
Extra Shots:
Haryana:
Delhi govt launched booklet for student on Ambedkars teachings

 The Delhi government launched a booklet on the life and teachings of Dr. BR Ambedkar for students of class
6-8 in government schools.
 The booklet was launched on Ambedkar's 63rd death anniversary.
 It is a three-part booklet. It explores the life and education of Ambedkar, his social reforms initiatives,
contribution to women empowerment.
 It also ponders on his roles and efforts on writing the Constitution of India and his contributions to social and
gender justice.
 The third part of the booklet talks about the contribution of Ambedkar in parliamentary democracy and
government.
Extra Shots:
Delhi:
Draj Bridge for all-weather connectivity inaugurated in Jammu and Kashmir Rajouri
 Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Shri Girish Chandra Murmu opened 72-metre-long Bridge to the Nation in
Rajouri.
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 The bridge over Draj nallah connects Draj Area with Tehsil Kotranka area under District Rajouri and is
constructed to bear heavy load up to 70 tons.
Extra Shots:
Jammu & Kashmir:
Odisha to set up 45 new fast track courts

 45 new fast track courts will be set up in Odisha. The 21 courts would be dedicated to cases of rape and sexual
harassment of women.
 The remaining 24 fast track courts will specifically deal with Protection of Children from Sexual Offences
(POCSO) cases.
 The State government’s action comes after Centre’s decision to formulate a scheme for setting up 1,023 fast
track special courts for expeditious trial and disposal of rape cases.
Extra Shots:
Odisha:
National Park: Bhitarkanika NP, Simlipal NP
Odisha wins ‘World Habitat Award’ for OLHM- Jaga Mission

 Odisha won the bronze in ‘World Habitat Award’ for Jaga Mission also called Odisha Liveable Habitat
Mission (OLHM), a slum land titling project executed for the benefit of millions of urban-poor people living
in slums.
 The award was given by the World Habitat, a UK (United Kingdom) based organization which gives the
award annually to recognize innovative housing projects around the world.
 The Jaga is a society under Housing and Urban Development Department (HUDD), Government of Odisha.
 The OLHM-JAGA aims at transforming the slums into livable habitats
 The mission works under the Odisha Land Rights to Slum Dwellers Act passed in September 2017.
Extra Shots:
Odisha:
Andhra Pradesh is to set up a virtual police station

 Andhra Pradesh is to set up a virtual police station (VPS) in the Andhra University (AU). It will be the first of
its kind.
 It will help the students to report violence or any other crime online.
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 The plan to establish VPS was initially proposed by AU vice-chancellor Prasad Reddy in August 2019.
Extra Shots:
Andhra Pradesh:
 Capital: Amravati
 Chief Minister: Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy
Governor: Biswabhusan Harichandan
Puducherry government unveils start-up policy

 The Puducherry government unveiled a start-up policy.
 The policy, launched by Minister for Industries M.O.H.F Shahjahan, aims to create a corpus fund of Rs10
crores to support the setting up of start-up incubators and to develop co-working spaces.
 The department plans to provide a grant of Rs 3 lakh to projects recommended by incubators established by
the government/private sector/academic institutions as a start-up grant.
Extra Shots:
Puducherry:
 Chief Minister: V. Narayanasamy
 Lt. Governor: Dr Kiran Bedi
Virtual Police Station inaugurated at Andhra University

 Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy inaugurated the Virtual Police Station at Andhra University. This is
the first such facility in the State of Andhra Pradesh.
 The AU facility is seen as a pilot project and will later be replicated at other educational institutions. The
initiative is expected to help bridge the gap between students and the police department
 The Virtual Police Station has been set up on the suggestion of Andhra University’s Vice-Chancellor to make
it easy for students to report their grievances.
Extra Shots:
Andhra Pradesh:
 Governor: Biswabhusan Harichandan
AP approved the draft Disha Act

 The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet approved the draft Disha Act to ensure rape verdicts in 21 days. Chief Minister
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy announced that the State government will make amendments to the AP Criminal Law
Act to hand out harsh punishments after a swift process.
 The act provides harsher punishments, including the death sentence, to those guilty of heinous crimes against
women.
 The Bill called for completion of trial in 21 days and awarding death sentences in rape cases.
 The Act covers sexual offences against women and children, harassment of women and acid attacks.
 The state government is to set up special courts in districts to try the cases related to attacks, sexual offences
on children and women.
Extra Shots:
Andhra Pradesh:
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Music festival ‘Tansen Samaroh’ begins in Gwalior

 In Madhya Pradesh, popular classical music festival ‘Tansen Samaroh’ began with traditional style in Gwalior
with the recitations of Harikatha and Milad.
 The 5-day festival is celebrated every year in the memory of one of the most eminent singers of Indian
history, ‘Mian Tansen’.
 Tansen Samaroh, the oldest and esteemed classical music festival in India is organised by Ustad Alauddin
Khan Kala Evam Sangeet Academy.
 It is the 95th year of the festival.
 Artistes from Greece, USA, Iran and Belgium will perform in different sessions of Tansen festival.
JK to receive national award for implementing PMGSY

 Jammu and Kashmir has been selected by the Union Ministry of Rural Development for the national award in
the best performing category for implementing the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
 The award will be presented in a ceremony on 19 December 2019 at the National Agricultural Science
Complex, Pusa, New Delhi.
Extra Shots:
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY): The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) was
launched on 25 December 2000 by the Government of India. The scheme aims to provide connectivity to
unconnected habitations as part of a poverty reduction strategy.
Jammu & Kashmir:
Odisha Govt. launches ‘Jalsathi’ programme

 Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has launched the ‘Jalsathi’ programme to ensure supply of safe
drinking water to all households in the state.
 The Odisha CM also launched the ‘JalSathi’ App on the occasion.
 The Water Corporation of Odisha (WATCO) signed a memorandum of understanding with the women
federations in Bhubaneswar for the implementation of the programme.
 The JalSathi initiative aims to ensure the supply of clean drinking water to consumers through piped water
connections.
Extra Shots:
Odisha:
Centre to set up first-ever SEZ in Tripura

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 Centre is to set up the first-ever Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Tripura.

 The announcement was made by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on 16 December 2019.
 The first SEZ for Tripura is being set up at Paschim Jalefa, Sabroom, South Tripura District.
 It is located 130 km away from Agartala.
 The Sector-Specific Economic Zone will be for Agro-Based Food Processing.
 The estimated cost for the project is around Rs.1550 Crore.
 The SEZ will be developed by the Tripura Industrial Development Corporation (TIDC) Ltd.
 The SEZ is expected to generate 12,000 skilled jobs.
 The SEZ will have Rubber based industries, textile and Apparel Industries, bamboo and Agri-food Processing
Industries.
 It is expected to attract private investment considering the proximity of the Chittagong Port and construction
of the bridge across the Feni River in South Tripura.
 A 100% Income Tax exemption of the SEZ will be provided on export income for SEZ units under Section
10AA of the Income Tax (IT) Act for the first 5 years.
Extra Shots:
Tripura:
 Capital: Agartala
 Chief Minister: Biplab Kumar Deb
 Governor: Ramesh Bais
CM Gehlot inaugurated first Janta clinic in Jaipur

 Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot inaugurated the first Janta clinic at Valmiki Basti in Malviya Nagar,
Jaipur on 18 December 2019.
 The chief minister had announced Janta clinics during the state budget.
 Janta clinic will provide free primary health care to poor people living in city slums.
 In the first phase, 12 Janta clinics are to be opened where people will get free medicines as well as free
medical examination in some cases.
Extra Shots:
Rajasthan
 Capital:Jaipur
 Chief Minister: Ashok Gehlot
 Governor: Kalraj Mishra
Meghalaya Assembly to pass resolution to bring state under ILP

 The Meghalaya Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Government of India to implement
Inner Line Permit in the state under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873.
 The one-day special session was conducted with the sole intention to pass the resolution in view of the
demand by the indigenous residents of the state for implementation of the ILP.
 Inner Line Permit (ILP) is an official travel document issued by the Government of India to allow inward
travel of an Indian citizen into a protected area for a limited period.
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Meghalaya:
 Capital: Shillong
 Chief Minister: Conrad Sangma
 Governor: Tathagata Roy
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Karnataka to launch new app to help teachers

 Karnataka State government is to launch a new mobile application with an aim to solve the problems of
school teachers and lecturers of pre-university colleges.
 The app will be launched in the month of January 2020.
 It was announced by the Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister S Suresh Kumar at an
educational convention and interaction programme.
 It was organized by the Academy of Political Science at Achievers International Public School, Sathanur
village, in the taluk, on 18 December 2019.
Extra Shots:
Karnataka:
Jignesh Patel launched a Vaccination on Wheels Clinic in Pune

 Jignesh Patel, a fellow at the Center for Healthcare Entrepreneurship (CfHE) at IIT Hyderabad, launched a
Vaccination on Wheels Clinic in Pune.
 The service was started in collaboration with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
 Mr. Patel received a grant under the Foundation's Grand Challenges Explorations.
 The clinic is called "VaccineOnWheels.com" as it adopted VOW (Vaccination On Wheels) concept
 VOW clinics will go to schools, colleges, and corporates to conduct vaccination camps at their doorsteps.
Extra Shots:
Maharashtra:
 Capital: Mumbai
 Chief Minister: Uddhav Thackeray
 Governor: Bhagat Singh Koshyari
 National Parks: Chandoli National Park, Nawegaon National Park, Gugamal National Park, Pench National
Park, Sanjay Gandhi (Borivilli) National Park, Tadoba National Park
 Wildlife Sanctuaries: Amba Barwa WLS, Bor WLS, Great Indian Bustard WLS,
 Lonar WLS, Melghat WLS, Gangewadi New Great Indian Bustard WLS, etc.
EChO Network was launched in New Delhi

 Prof. Krishnasamy VijayRaghavan, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Govt of India launched a national
program called “EChO Network” in New Delhi.
 The EChO network provides a template for cross-disciplinary leadership in India.
 The purpose of this programme is to bring citizens, govt etc to solve problems in the areas of research
knowledge, and awareness of Indian ecology and the environment.
Extra Shots:
Delhi:
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Uttar Pradesh government targetting MSME loans worth Rs 62,000 cr in 2019-20

 Uttar Pradesh government to facilitate business loans worth more than Rs 62,000 crore to the beleaguered
micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) in the current financial year 2019-20.
 The figure of Rs 62,000 crore is 20 percent higher than the target of Rs 51,808 crore in MSME lending fixed
for commercial banks in UP for 2019-20.
 Kerala sets 2024 deadline for Semi High-Speed Rail project
 Thiruvananthapuram–Kasargode Semi High-Speed Rail Corridor (SHSR) a high-speed rail corridor in India
connects Thiruvananthapuram with Kasaragod in Kerala expected to be completed by 2024.
 The central government in-principle approval to the Rs.56,000 crore Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod SHSR
corridor project.
Extra Shots:
Uttar Pradesh:
Chairman 15th Finance Commission holds meeting with the CM Andhra Pradesh
 Fifteenth Finance Commission Shri N K Singh met the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri YS Jagan
Mohan Reddy in Vijaywada on 19th December 2019.
 To discuss various issues specific to state finances for the award period of the Commission from 2021 to
2026.
 Shri Reddy highlighted the State’s fiscal challenges arising out of the bifurcation of the erstwhile Andhra
Pradesh and stressed on the requirement of financial management by the new State Government.
Extra Shots:
Andhra Pradesh:
Sikkim CM laid the foundation stone two IPUs of Sikkim IFFCO

 Sikkim laid the foundation stone of Integrated Organic Food Processing units of Sikkim IFFCO Organics Ltd.
in Rangpo, East Sikkim.
 It is a joint venture between the world’s biggest fertilizer Cooperative, IFFCO, and Government of Sikkim.
 The main aim to promote and market the organic produce of the country and especially from Sikkim and other
north-eastern states of India.
Extra Shots:
Sikkim:
 Capital: Gangtok
 Chief Minister: Prem Singh Tamang
 Governor: Ganga Prasad
Rajasthan government starts its first Janta Clinic

 Rajasthan Chief Minister inaugurated its first “Janta clinic” at in the Malviya Nagar area of Jaipur.
 This clinic open to provide free primary health care to people living in slums.
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 In its first phase, 12 Janta Clinics will be opened in Jaipur where people would get free medicines and free
medical examination in some cases.
 Later, in the second and third phases of this scheme, Janta Clinics will be opened in other areas.
Extra Shots:
Rajasthan
 Capital:Jaipur
 Chief Minister:Ashok Ghelot
 Governor: Kalraj Mishra
Andhra Pradesh CM launched ‘Netanna Nestham’ welfare scheme for weavers

 Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy launched the ‘YSR Nethanna Nestham’ scheme at
Dharmavaram in Anantapur district.
 Under the scheme, the state government of Andhra Pradesh will provide financial assistance of Rs 24,000
annually to handloom weavers across the state.
Extra Shots:
Andhra Pradesh:
Haryana approves Rs 5.5K cr projects

 Haryana State Level Sanctioning Committee of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana approved projects of
Rs 552.73 crore.
 The projects forwarded to the Government of India for sanctioning.
 The projects approved to provide water in every field increase crop production, development of watershed,
and realize the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to double the income of farmers by 2022.
Extra Shots:
Haryana:
Mandu Festival begins at Mandu, Madhya Pradesh
 The first edition of Mandu Festival begins at Mandu, picturesque fort city of Madhya Pradesh. The event is
organized by Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board.
 The festival will witness a celebration of the historic heritage blended with the modern vibrancy of the city
culture.
 The Mandu festival will offer an eclectic mix of performing arts, workshops, art installations, nature trails,
walks, food, architecture and music to the visitors during the festival. The festival is based on the idea of
“Khojne Me Kho Jao”.
Extra Shots:
Madhya Pradesh:
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 Capital: Bhopal
Satpura NP
Odisha govt launches online platform for issuance of certificates

 Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched the online platform for the issuance of income certificate, residence
certificate, caste certificate without any fees, and based on the self-certification system of asking for the
Solvency certificate by the departments.
 The recruiting agencies allow the applicants to declare their caste (ST/SC) and Resident status, etc. at the time
of application.
Extra Shots:
Odisha:
Himachal Pradesh exempts Women from HPPSC HPSSC Exam Fee

 Himachal Pradesh government decided to exempt women from paying the application fee for government
recruitment exams.
 The fee exemption applicable to women candidates who apply for any recruitment advertised by the state's
Public Service Commission (HPPSC) and Staff Selection Commission (HPSSC).
 The decision was taken by the Himachal Pradesh cabinet.
 The application fee usually varies from Rs. 500 to Rs. 1500.
 With the application fee gone, it is expected that the number of women applicants will increase.
Extra Shots:
Himachal Pradesh:
 State formed on: 25 January 1971
 Governor: Bandaru Dattatreya
 Chief Justice: Lingappa Narayana Swamy
 Chief Minister: Jai Ram Thakur
 Official language: Hindi
Mandu Festival begins at Mandu Madhya Pradesh

 Madhya Pradesh, the 5-day Mandu festival, started in Mandu, a world-famous picturesque tourist destination
located in Dhar district of the state.
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 The Mandu festival will redefine the essence of the city & bring about the joy of establishing a new tourism
hub in the state.
 The Mandu festival celebrated till January 1.
 The rich classical and traditional folk arts of dance, singing, and playing once again come alive through the
Mandu festival.
Extra Shots:
Madhya Pradesh:
 Capital: Bhopal
Satpura NP
Haryana CM Khattar inaugurates ‘TRAKEA’ Bar-coding system of FSL

Manohar Lal Khattar, Chief Minister (CM) of Haryana inaugurated the TRAKEA barcoding system of Forensic
Science Laboratory (FSL) at Madhuban, Haryana.
Haryana became the first state in the country to introduce this unique barcoding system.
Gujarat police was honoured with the Presidents Colours

Gujarat became the seventh state police force in India to be bestowed with the honour of the President’s Colours.
President’s Colours is also called NISHAAN. Now, the emblem will be worn by all the police officers of Gujarat on
the left-hand sleeve of their uniform.
MP: Five-day music festival ‘Tansen Samaroh’ begins in Gwalior

In Madhya Pradesh, popular classical music festival ‘Tansen Samaroh’ began with traditional style in Gwalior with
the recitations of Harikatha and Milad. The five-day festival is celebrated every year in the memory of one of the
most eminent singers of Indian history, ‘Mian Tansen’.
It is the 95th year of the festival. Artistes from Greece, USA, Iran and Belgium will perform in different sessions of
Tansen festival.
TN panchayat tops ranking under Mission Antyodaya scheme

Tamil Nadu’s Molugamboondi has topped the 2019 rankings of gram panchayats in the country, scoring high on
implementation of development and infrastructure programmes under the Mission Antyodaya scheme.
The second rank has gone to Bambhaniya GP of Bhavnagar in Gujarat while four more Gujarat panchayats are tied
for third ranking. One in Maharashtra, two each of Punjab and Tamil Nadu, and five Gujarat panchayats are tied at
fourth ranking.
Page 68 of 125
Chennai first city in India to get online portal to exchange reusable products
Chennai residents can now buy and sell reusable and recycled products online as the Greater Chennai Corporation
launched a new website that facilitates waste-trading.
The first-of-its-kind website in India, www.madraswasteexchange.com, has a variety of products made from dry and
wet waste. This website is part of the Smart City Mission and currently, the civic body only sells dry and wet waste
Chhattisgarh govt conducts ‘Suposhan Abhiyan’ to help tribals in Bastar

The Chhattisgarh government has conducted various programmes under the scheme ‘Suposhan Abhiyan’ in local
languages in Bastar with the help of local artists.
Various government schemes like Suchitan Abhiyan, Mukhyamantri Haat-Bazar Clinic Scheme, Narva, Garuva,
Ghuruva Bari Yojana, etc are given importance during the programme where the artists will be disseminating
information in local dialects.
Odisha: CM Naveen Patnaik launches “JalSathi” initiative to ensure clean Water, women
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched “Jal Sathi” initiative to engage the women from self-help groups in
water distribution and consumer management with the aim of women empowerment.
Jal Sathi program has been launched on a pilot basis in Bhubaneswar under the 5T (Transparency, Teamwork,
Technology, Time, Transformation) initiative of Housing and Urban Development Department of the state
government.
Anti-hijacking exercise held off Cochin Port

A large-scale anti-hijacking exercise was conducted off the port of Kochi by the Navy, Coast Guard, the Cochin Port
Trust and other agencies
Codenamed “Apharan”, the exercise saw participation of multiple agencies, including more than 12 ships and
helicopters of the Navy, Coast Guard and Cochin Port Trust.
Bengaluru retains its crown as the highest paying city

According to Randstad Insights Salary Trends Report 2019, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Mumbai are the highest
paying cities in India.
Professionals from IT industry command the highest salaries, while Bengaluru has retained the tag as the highest
paying city in the country followed by Hyderabad and Mumbai
Digital Marketers emerged as the highest paid functional role for senior professionals, with an average annual CTC of
Rs35.65 lakh.
11-day long ‘Dhanu Jatra’ begins in Odisha

 The 11-day long ‘Dhanu Jatra’ begins at Bargarh in western Odisha. Dhanu Jatra is considered as the largest
open-air theatre of the world.
 It is based on the mythological story of Lord Krishna and his demon uncle King Kansa.
 It is about the episode of Krishna and Balaram’s visit to Mathura to witness the Dhanu ceremony organized
by their (maternal) uncle King Kansa.
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 Dhanu Jatra is the annual drama-based open-air theatrical performance celebrated in and around Bargarh city.
Extra Shots:
Odisha:
Assam CM launches torch relay of Khelo India Youth Games

 Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched the torch relay of the Third Khelo India Youth Games.
 The games will be held in Guwahati from 10th to 22nd of next month.
 The people of Assam to create a fantastic environment for athletes will be participating in the competitions.
 The opening ceremony of the third Khelo India Youth Games will take place at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in
Guwahati on January 10.
 The officials of the competition preparing a total of eight venues for the tournament, and they are on track to
make the Games one of the largest sporting spectacles of the country.
Extra Shots:
Assam:
 Capital: Dispur
International Current Affairs News

`
Iraq Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi Resigns
 Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has submitted his resignation to Parliament amid ongoing anti-
government protests across the country.
 The formal resignation came after an emergency cabinet session in which ministers approved the document
and the resignation of key staffers, including Abdul Mahdi’s chief of staff.
Extra Shots:
Iraq (Capital/Currency): Baghdad/ Iraqi dinar
 Prime Minister: Adil Abdul-Mahdi
Saudi Arabia takes over G20 Presidency from Japan

 The G20 Presidency has been taken over by Saudi Arabia from Japan. Saudi Arabia has become the 1st Arab
nation to assume the G20 presidency.
 The Saudi G20 presidency is committed to continue the work from Osaka (Japan) and promote the
multilateral consensus.
Page 70 of 125
 The G20 presidency, which Saudi Arabia has taken over from Japan, will host world leaders for a global
summit in its capital Riyadh in 2020.
Extra Shots:
Saudi Arabia (Capital/Currency): Riyadh/Riyal
 King: Salman of Saudi Arabia
India announced Rs.4,900 crore to support Butan’s 5 year plan

 The 2nd Annual India-Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks have held New Delhi.
 The talks aimed at renewing India's commitment to supporting projects under Bhutan's ongoing twelfth five-
year plan, that is from 2018-23.
 The bilateral mechanism aims to review the entire gamut of India's development partnership with Bhutan.
 India announces the assistance of Rs.4500 Crore for the implementation of development projects and Rs. 400
Crore for transitional Trade Support Facility.
Extra Shots:
Bhutan (Capital/Currency): Thimphu/ Bhutanese ngultrum, Indian rupee
 Prime Minister: Lotay Tshering
Thailand elected as a member of the World Heritage Committee

 Thailand has been elected as a member of the World Heritage Committee.
 It was selected during the 22nd session of the General Assembly of States Parties to the World Heritage
Convention in Paris.
 The representatives from 193 countries cast their votes to fill nine vacant seats on the 21-member World
Heritage Committee.
Extra Shots:
Thailand (Capital/Currency): Bangkok/ Thai baht
 Prime Minister: Prayut Chan-o-cha
Global Migration Film Festival organised in Dhaka

 The Global Migration Film Festival (GMFF) was organised in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
 The festival screened 15 films on the theme of “migration and its various aspects”.
 The GMFF was started in 2016 and this year it is being organised across many cities in the world.
 The festival was organised by the International Organisation of Migrants (IOM) and Dhaka University Film
Society with the support of the European Union.
 The Global Migration Film Festival is a global initiative simultaneously being run in many countries of the
world to draw attention to the issues of internal migration, forced migration and climate change-related
migration to engage people in a conversation on the issue of migration.
Extra Shots:
Bangladesh (Capital/Currency): Dhaka/Taka
 Prime Minister: Sheikh Hasina
Putin and Xi launched first ever Russia-China gas pipeline

 Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping launched the Siberia pipeline project.
 The pipeline will transport natural gas from Siberia to northeast China.
 The move aims to boost the economic and political ties between Russia and China.
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 The pipeline project shows Russia's attempts in helping China from the financial sanctions imposed by the US
over China's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimea.
 It is a 3,000-km-long Power of Siberia pipeline.
Extra Shots:
China (Capital/Currency): Beijing/Renminbi
 President: Xi Jinping
Russia (Capital/Currency): Moscow/Ruble
 Prime Minister: Dmitry Medvedev
 President: Vladimir Putin
Ursula took charge as the President of European Commission

 Ursula von der Leyen took charge as the President of the European Commission.
 She replaced Jean-Claude Juncker.
 She is the first woman to become the President of the European Commission.
 Ms.Ursula, the 60-year-old gynecologist, started her political career at her early age of 40.
Extra Shots:
EU: The European Commission is the executive branch of the European Union, responsible for proposing legislation,
implementing decisions, upholding the EU treaties and managing the day-to-day business of the EU.
 President: Jean-Claude Juncker Trending
 Current college: Juncker Commission
 First Vice-President: Frans Timmermans
 Secretary-General: Martin Selmayr
Japan to invest Rs.13,000 crore to North Eastern state project of India

 Japan has decided to invest an amount of Rs.13,000 crore in several ongoing and new projects in the North-
Eastern states of India.
 India-Japan collaborated Project:
 Japan is to collaborate on some of the Indian Projects including Northeast Road Network Connectivity
Improvement Project spread over Assam and Meghalaya, Sustainable Forest Management Project in Tripura,
Guwahati Water Supply Project and Guwahati Sewage Project in Assam, Bio-diversity Conservation and
Forest Management Project in Sikkim, Bamboo-related collaboration, Technical Cooperation Project for
Sustainable Agriculture & Irrigation in Mizoram, Forest Management Project in Nagaland, etc.
Extra Shots:
Japan (Capital/Currency): Tokyo/Yen
 Prime Minister: Shinzo Abe
Bangabandhu BPL inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

 Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the special edition of Bangabandhu Bangladesh
Premier League (BBPL) T20 cricket championship to mark Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s birth
centenary in 2020.
 A total of 7 teams are participating in the BBPL event.
 They will play 46 matches including the 4 playoff matches.
 The BBPL final will be held on January 17, 2020.
 This is the first time that the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is organizing the Premier League matches
without involving any franchise.
Page 72 of 125
Extra Shots:
Finland elects Sanna Marin, the youngest-ever Prime Minister

 Sanna Marin has been elected as the Prime Minister of Finland.
 She became the world's youngest Prime Minister ever.
 She also became the third female government leader of the country.
 Marin was a lawmaker since 2015. She was the Social Democratic Party's vice chairwoman.
 She served as the minister for transport and communications.
Extra Shots:
Finland (Capital/Currency): Helsinki, Euro
 President: Sauli Niinisto
Malaysia reported the first polio case in 27 years

 Malaysia reported the first polio case in 27 years.
 The health authorities reported that a three-month-old Malaysian infant has been diagnosed with polio.
 This is the first case reported in the Asia-Pacific country in 27 years.
 Polio: Polio is also is known as poliomyelitis.
 It is is a highly contagious viral disease caused by Poliovirus. It attacks the nervous system.
Extra Shots:
Malaysia (Capital/Currency): Kuala Lumpur/ Malaysian dollar
 Prime Minister: Mahathir Mohamad
Sri Lanka appointed as a military officer as spy chief

 Sri Lanka, a military officer, appointed as head of the country's main intelligence agency. Brigadier Suresh
Sallay, former director of Military Intelligence appointed as head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS).
 It is the first time in the history of Sri Lanka that a military officer appointed as head of the SIS.
 His appointment comes three weeks after former defense secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa was elected president
promising greater security.
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Sri Lanka(Capitals/Currency): Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte/Sri Lankan rupee.
 Prime minister: Ranil Wickremesinghe
 President: Maithripala Sirisena
World’s First commercial electric plane takes flight in Canada

 The world’s first fully-electric commercial aircraft took its inaugural test flight, taking off from the Canadian
city of Vancouver and flying for 15 minutes.
 A 62-year-old six-passenger DHC-2 de Havilland Beaver seaplane re-fitted with a fully electric 750
horsepower motor was piloted by Greg McDougall, founder and chief executive of Harbour Air, a British
Columbia-based charter airline that transport passengers between Vancouver.
 MagniX designed the motor and worked in partnership with Harbour Air which ferries thousands of people a
year between Vancouver, Whistler ski resort and nearby islands.
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Canada (Capital/Currency): Ottawa/ Canadian dollar
Page 73 of 125
 Prime Minister: Justin Trudeau
US became Indias sixth oil supplier by replacing Kuwait

 Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas stated that the United States has surpassed Kuwait to become India's
sixth-largest oil supplier.
 The US has supplied 5.4 million tonnes of crude oil during the first six months of 2019-20. Overall, the US
supplied 70% more crude to India during April-September.
Iraq India's top oil supplier:
♦ Iraq remains as India's top crude oil supplier. It meets almost one-fourth of India's oil needs.
♦ Iraq sold 26 million tonnes of crude oil to India from April to September.
Saudi Arabia, the second:
♦ Saudi Arabia was dethroned by Iraq as India's top oil source for the first time in the 2017-18 fiscal year. Saudi
Arabia has stayed in the second spot ever since.
♦ It exported 20.7 million tonnes of crude oil in the first six months.
Nigeria in third:
♦ India ceased to import crude oil from Iran after the reimposition of economic sanctions in May 2019 by the US. It
supplied 23.9 million tonnes of oil in 2018-19 fiscal.
Extra Shots:
USA (Capital/Currency): Washington, D.C./ United States Dollar
 President: Donald Trump
Saudi Arabia (Capital/Currency): Riyadh/ Saudi riyal
 President: Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud
Iraq (Capital/Currency): Baghdad/ Iraqi dinar
 Prime Minister: Adil Abdul-Mahdi
Nigeria (Capital/Currency): Abuja/ Nigerian naira
 President: Muhammadu Buhari
US, Mexico, Canada sign USMCA trade deal

 The representatives from the United States, Mexico and Canada inked a revamped version of their regional
trade pact after months of negotiations.
 The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) will now go to the countries’ legislatures for final
approval.
 The accord is meant to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a deal in place since 1994.
Extra Shots:
Canada (Capital/Currency): Ottawa/ Canadian dollar
 Prime Minister: Justin Trudeau
Indonesia foreign minister Retno L P Marsudi is to attend Delhi Dialogue XI

 Indonesia foreign minister Retno L P Marsudi arrived on 13 December on a two-day visit to India.
 The Minister will attend key talks on the Indo-Pacific region.
 She will hold talks with the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on 13 December.
 The ministers have been scheduled to attend the sixth Joint Commission Meeting between India and Indonesia
at the Hyderabad.
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Extra Shots:
Indonesia (Capital/Currency): Jakarta/ Indonesian rupiah
 President: Joko Widodo
India, Bangladesh, Nepal contributes global progress in infant birth registration: UNICEF report
 According to the new report, ‘Birth Registration for Every Child by 2030: Are we on track?’ released
by UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund), the number of childbirth registrations has increased
significantly over the past decade & the great efforts of South Asian countries like India, Bangladesh and
Nepal have contributed to the global progress in this field.
 The birth registration level in these regions has almost tripled from 23 % in the last two decades to 70%.
The report analyzed the data from 174 countries.
Nuad Thai massage included in UNESCO heritage list

 Thailand’s famous 2000-year-old massage, Nuad Thai was added to UNESCO’s (United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization) prestigious heritage list.
 Nuad Thai is an intense form of massage in which the body is pulled and rotated well with the help of the
thumb, elbow, knees and feet.
 Thai massage originated in India and brought it to Thailand about 2,500 years ago by doctors and monks who
carried its secrets for generations.
Extra Shots:
Thailand (Capital/Currency): Bangkok/ Thai baht
 Prime Minister: Prayut Chan-o-cha
Former PM Abdelmadjid Tebboune elected as the President of Algeria

 Abdelmadjid Tebboune, former Prime Minister (PM) of Algeria was elected as the President of Algeria
succeeding Abdelkader Bensalah.
 He served as the PM from May 2017 to August 2017, under the governance of President Abdelaziz
Bouteflika.
Extra Shots:
Algeria (Capital/Currency): Algiers/Dinar
 Prime Minister : Noureddine Bedouia
Lahore-Wagah shuttle train service resumed after 22 years

 The shuttle train service between Lahore and Wagah railway station resumed its operation on 15 December
after a gap of 22 years.
 The service was inaugurated by Pakistan Railways Minister Sheikh Rashid.
 The train service was operated till 1997.
 It was closed due to certain operational and security.
 Pakistan aims to start or revive the connection of Lahore metropolitan city with its suburbs through rail routes.
 Lahore-Wagah is the first step taken by the Pakistan government.
 The shuttle train is expected to be followed by another train from Lahore to Raiwind within the next 15 days.
Extra Shots:
Pakistan (Capital/Currency): Islamabad/Pakistani Rupee
 Prime Minister: Imran Khan
 President: Arif Alvi
Page 75 of 125
UNESCO removes Racist, a Belgian carnival, from the heritage list

 The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) removed 'Racist' the
Belgian carnival from the heritage list.
 It was removed over the recurring repetition of racist and antisemitic representations as the carnival mocks
Jews.
 The carnival is celebrated in the Belgian city of Aalst every year.
 It was initially added to UNESCO's list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2010.
Extra Shots:
UNESCO: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the
United Nations based in Paris, France.
 Headquarters: Paris, France
 Head: Audrey Azoulay
 Founded: 16 November 1945, London, United Kingdom
 Formation: 4 November 1946
The 2nd PRMC meeting between India and Bangladesh was held in New Delhi
 The 2nd Project Review Monitoring Committee (PRMC) meeting for the India-Bangladesh Friendship
Pipeline project was held successfully between the two countries on 19 December 2019 in New Delhi.
 The aim is to create a concrete step in cross border connectivity corridor.
 The meeting reiterated the strong commitment and high priority attached to the bilateral relationship between
the countries.
 The countries agreed to extend full cooperation on the connectivity project with a view of the centrality of
cross-border energy cooperation in the bilateral partnership.
 The cost of the project is Rs.346 crore.
 The 130-kilometre India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline Project is being undertaken under the grant
assistance from India to Bangladesh.
Extra Shots:
Ethiopia launched its first space satellite

 Ethiopia launched its first satellite, a landmark achievement for the country’s space program that caps a
banner year for the African space industry.
 The launch of the Ethiopian Remote Sensing Satellite (ETRSS) took place at a space station in China.
 The launch makes Ethiopia the 11th African country to put a satellite into space. Egypt was the first in 1998.
Extra Shots:
Ethiopia (Capital/Currency): Addis Ababa/ Ethiopian birr
 President: Sahle-Work Zewde
Indian-American computer scientist to lead National Science Foundation in USA

 US President Donald Trump has picked Indian-American computer scientist Sethuraman Panchanathan to
lead the prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) in USA.
 The NSF is a US government agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical
fields of science and engineering.
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 Panchanathan would succeed France Cordova when her six-year term as the NSF Director ends in 2020.
Extra Shots:
Russia and Ukraine Sign Preliminary Gas Transit Deal

 Moscow and Kiev have signed a preliminary deal on the transit of Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine, after
months of difficult talks but ahead of the looming New Year deadline.
 Russian and Ukrainian sides signed a memorandum of understanding cited as saying by Russian agencies
while giving no details of the deal.
Extra Shots:
Ukraine (Capital/Currency): Kyiv/ Ukrainian hryvnia
 President: Volodymyr Zelensky
UAE and Oman sign MoU to enhance trade and economic cooperation
 UAE national export credit company, Etihad Credit Insurance (ECI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) with the Export Credit Guarantee Agency of Oman (Credit Oman)
 To enhance trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.
 The sign took place during the 10th AMAN UNION General Assembly, held in Muscat.
Extra Shots:
Oman (Capital/Currency): Muscat/ Omani rial
China launches its largest carrier rocket “Long March-5”

 China has successfully launched its largest carrier rocket “Long March-5“.
 The rocket was launched from Wenchang Space Launch Center in south China’s Hainan Province.
 The rocket is also known as CZ-5. It was China’s third attempt to launch the rocket.
 The Chinese rocket carried the Shijian-20 satellite, a communication satellite and placed it into its designated
orbit.
 The Shijian-20 satellite will lay the foundation for the development of highly sensitive space probes.
 It is China’s heaviest and most advanced communications satellite in geosynchronous orbit.
Extra Shots:
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Russia deploys its 1st Avangard Hypersonic missile system

 Russia’s 1st missile unit equipped with Avangard Hypersonic glide vehicle enters into service. Russia’s
defence ministry stated that a new hypersonic weapon with latest strategic missiles of intercontinental range
has became operational.
 The nuclear-capable missiles can travel more than 20 times the speed of sound.
 They have a “glide system” that affords great manoeuvrability and could make them impossible to defend
against.
 The Avangard can carry a nuclear weapon of up to 2 megatons.
Extra Shots:

Nepal Bans Indian Vehicles On Pokhara Roads Ahead of New Year

 Nepal banned vehicles with Indian number plates from running in the tourist hub of Pokhara ahead of the new
year.
 To attract two million tourists mostly Indians.
Extra Shots:
Christina Koch records longest single spaceflight by woman

 NASA Astronaut Christina Koch has created a record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman.
 She has surpassed the earlier record of 288 days in space which was previously established by NASA
astronaut Peggy Whitson in 2017.
 She would return to Earth in February 2020.
 Till then, she would have spent more than 300 days in the space.
 She is onboard the International Space Station since 14th March 2019.
Extra Shots:
NASA: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an independent agency of the United States Federal
Government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. NASA was
established in 1958, succeeding the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.
 Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
 Founder: Dwight D. Eisenhower
 Founded: 29 July 1958, United States
China to issue GDP figures under new mechanism from 2020

 China will revise its regional GDP data under a unified accounting mechanism.
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 The Chinese economy grew at an annual pace of 6.0 percent in the July-September quarter, the slowest
growth since 1992.
Extra Shots:
Summits and Conferences
Summit/ Conference Held at Theme/ Aim

India’s Pavilion inaugurated at International Book Mexico
Fair
UN Climate Change Conference COP 25 Spain
India-Sweden High-Level Dialogue on Innovation New Delhi
Policy
2nd edition of the Startup India Global Venture Goa Theme: India Opportunity-
Capital Summit Investing in tomorrow
together.
3rd edition of National Public Procurement New Delhi

Conclave
India’s 1st HAM project in “Sewerage Sector” Haridwar
NATO Summit 2019 Watford, United Kingdom To make the heads of state
and heads of government of
NATO member countries to
evaluate and provide
strategic direction for
Alliance activities.
Fourth India Water Impact Summit New Delhi Theme: Valuing Water |
Transforming Ganga
54th DGsP/IGsP Conference Pune
8th edition of Embassy’s annual film festival Riyadh
India-Myanmar Foreign Office Consultations New Delhi
Naval weapon Systems seminar NAVARMS New Delhi

The 37th National Symposium of Heads of Police New Delhi
Training Institutions
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Central Public Works Department (CPWD) New Delhi

organized a National level Business meet
International Seminar on Climate Smart Farming New Delhi
Systems
40th Session of the UNESCO General Conference Paris, France

th
13 South Asian Games Nepal
National Symposium of Heads of Police Training New Delhi
Institutions
36th International Geological Congress New Delhi Geosciences: The Basic
Science for Sustainable
Development
37th National Symposium of Heads of Police New Delhi.
Training Institutions
International Workshop on Energy Efficient Cooling New Delhi
Conference of 46 Heads of Central Universities and New Delhi
Institutes of Higher Learning
World Design Protopolis Bengaluru
First meeting of the National Ganga Council. Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
Global Refugee Forum Geneva

Environmental Sustainability and Economic New Delhi.
Development
Uniformed Women in Prisons Administration Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
79th Conference of Presiding Officers of Legislative Dehradun

Bodies.
2nd Indo-US ministerial 2+2 dialogue Washington DC

11th Regional Quality Conclave (RQC) Rudrapur, District Udham
Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand.
2nd Project Review Monitoring Committee (PRMC) New Delhi To create a concrete step in
meeting for the India-Bangladesh Friendship cross border connectivity
Pipeline project corridor.
The 2nd National Conference on Uniformed Women Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

in Prisons Administration
Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of New Delhi. New India Aspiring for a
India (ASSOCHAM) annual conference USD 5 trillion economy’
19th Joint Commission meeting Iran

49th Border Coordination Conference between New Delhi. co-operation in Border
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border guarding forces of India and Bangladesh Guarding and Border

Management between the
two forces.
India, Maldives to review bilateral cooperation at Joint Commission Meeting

 External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held talks with his Maldivian counterpart Foreign Minister Abdulla
Shahid. He is on a four-day state visit to India.
Highlights:
♦ The Ministers of India and Maldives have agreed to review the entire range of their bilateral relations.
♦ The Ministers will co-chair the India-Maldives 6th Joint Commission Meeting.
♦ Earlier, India has committed to partner with the Maldives for its development.
♦ The two countries have decided to enhance cooperation for peace and mutual security in the Indian Ocean Region.
Extra Shots:
Maldives (Capital/Currency): Male/ Maldivian rufiyaa
 President: Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
Switzerland to partner for 2020 BioAsia

 Switzerland is to serve as a partner for BioAsia 2020 has scheduled to be held between 17-19 February 2019
in Hyderabad, Telangana.
 The announcement was made by Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary of the Industries and Commerce and
Information Technology of Telangana.
 THEME: Today For Tomorrow
 The countries aimed to bring the life sciences together and drive significant developments in the life sciences
industry globally.
 Switzerland became a partner for its strong academics in applied sciences and financially sound and research-
based pharmaceutical companies.
 The event is being organized by the Federation of Asian Biotech Association and the Government of
Telangana.
Extra Shots:
Switzerland (Capital/Currency): Bern/ Swiss franc
 President: Ueli Maurer
Finance Ministry to organise Arun Jaitley Memorial Lecture on March 20 next year
 Finance Ministry planned to organize the Arun Jaitley Memorial Lecture on March 20 next year to pay tribute
to the former Finance Minister.
 The first annual program will be on Friday, 20 March 2020.
 An Economists Conclave will be held the next day.
 Arun Jaitley served as the Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs of the Government of India from 2014 to
2019.
Bengalurus University of Agricultural Sciences to host Indian Science Congress

 University of Agricultural Sciences in Bengaluru planned to host the 107th Indian Science Congress from 3rd
to 7th of January. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the conference.
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 The Conference will be attended by over 15,000 delegates, including Nobel laureates, scientists,
academicians, students and farmers.
Extra Shots:
Karnataka:
Ranks and Indices
Mukesh Ambani ranked as the 9th richest person in the world

 Reliance Industries (RIL) chief Mukesh Ambani ranked as the 9th richest person globally in the Real-Time
Billionaires List of Forbes.
 His net worth was $60 billion. Ambani made it to the daily list of the top 10 richest people in the world
because of the increase in the share price of his flagship firm Reliance Industries.
 Also, he became the first Indian firm to hit the Rs.10 lakh crore market valuation mark.
 The list was topped by Amazon Founder and CEO Jeff Bezos with a net worth of $113 billion Microsoft co-
founder Bill Gates ranked second with a net worth of $107.4 billion
 Bernard Arnault & family Chairman and CEO, LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton ranked third with a net
worth of $107.2 billion
 CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Warren Buffett stands fourth with a net worth of $86.9 billion.
 CEO of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg was ranked fifth with a net worth of $74.9 billion.
Extra Shots:
Forbes is an American business magazine. Published bi-weekly, it features original articles on finance, industry,
investing, and marketing topics. Forbes also reports on related subjects such as technology, communications, science,
politics, and law. Its headquarters is located in Jersey City, New Jersey.
 Editor-in-chief: Steve Forbes
 First issue: September 15, 1917
 Editor: Randall Lane
India ranked 73rd in the 2019 E-commerce Index

 India ranked 73rd in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's (UNCTAD) Business-to-
Consumer (B2C) E-commerce Index 2019.
 The ranking was conducted for 152 countries.
 The Netherlands topped the index for the second consecutive year.
 The survey was conducted among 152 countries.
 The index measured an economy's preparedness to support online shopping.
 The index marked the readiness of the countries that are engaged in online commerce.
Top 10 countries of the list:
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1) Netherlands
2) Switzerland
3) Singapore
4) Finland
5) The United Kingdom
6) Denmark
7) Norway
8) Ireland
9) Germany
10) Australia
Extra Shots:
UNCTAD: UNCTAD deals with investment, trade, and development issues. It formulates policies for the
development including trade, transport, finance, and technology.
 Formed on: 30 December 1964
 Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
 Secretary-General: Mukhisa Kituyi
 Parent organization: United Nations General Assembly
India stands as fifth worst country in terms of biometric use

 The Britain-based tech research firm Comparitech reported that India is the fifth worst country in terms of
extensive and invasive use of biometric data.
 Before India stands China, Malaysia, Pakistan, and the US. India shared the fifth position along with Taiwan,
Indonesia, and the Philippines.
 India scored 19 out of 25.
 The top 5 best countries in terms of collection, storage and use of biometric data as per the report are:
1) Ireland
2) Portugal
3) Cyprus
4) The UK
5) Romania
Aberdeen in A&N Islands declare best police station in country

 Aberdeen Police station in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands ranks 1st in the list of the best-performing police
stations in the country while dealing with a property offence, a crime against women and weaker sections.
 Home Ministry released the list of ten best-performing Police stations in the country.
 Balasinor police station in Gujarat secured the 2nd rank while and Ajk Burhanpur in Madhya Pradesh got the
3rd position.
Ganga has become one of 10 cleanest rivers in the world

 Minister of Jalshakti said that Ganga has become one of 10 cleanest rivers in the world among the major
rivers category.
 The announcement was made by the Jalshakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at the 4th India Water
Impact Summit, 2019 in New Delhi.
Extra Shots:
 Jalshakti Minister: Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
Page 83 of 125
Worldwide arms sales rise by nearly 5% in 2018

 Worldwide arms sales rose by nearly 5 per cent in 2018.
 According to a new report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the market is
dominated by the United States.
 The turnover of the 100 biggest arms manufacturers came to 420 billion dollars.
 US manufacturers alone accounted for 59 per cent of the market, or a turnover of 246 billion dollars, up 7.2
per cent on the previous year.
 Russia was second in the rankings for arms production, with 8.6 per cent of the market, just ahead of the
United Kingdom on 8.4 per cent and France on 5.5 per cent.
Extra shots:
SIPRI: Stockholm International Peace Research Institute is an international institute based in Sweden, dedicated to
research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament.
 Headquarters location: Stockholm, Sweden
 Founder: Government of Sweden
 Founded: 6 May 1966
India ranked 129 in the Human Development Index

 India ranked 129 in the Human Development Index (HDI) for the year 2018.
 The index was released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
 The report said that India has improved marginally by a notch.
 The overall index showed that India scored 0.647 in 2018, as against 0.643 in 2017.
 The score is calculated in the range of 1 to 0.
 Norway, Switzerland, Ireland are the top three nations on the index.
Extra Shots:
UNDP: The United Nations Development Programme is the United Nations' global development network. It
advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life
for themselves.
 Headquarters: New York, New York, United States
 Founded: 22 November 1965, United States
 Head: Achim Steiner
India among top 10 countries with higher climate performance

 India has ranked 9th in the high category of 2019 Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) presented on 10
December at the COP25 climate summit in Madrid, Spain.
 This is the first time India has ranked among the top 10 among the list.
 ndia received an overall medium rating in the renewable energy category
 India's 2030 renewable energy target has been rated very high for its well-below 2 degrees Celsius
compatibility.
 The first three places of the ranking remain unoccupied as none of the countries assessed is already on a path
compatible with the Paris climate targets.
 Sweden ranked 4th and Denmark ranked 5th among the list.
 These countries achieved the overall high or very high ratings, the performance of EU countries varied
largely.
Extra Shots:
Page 84 of 125
Spain (Capital/Currency): Madrid/Euro

 Prime Minister: Pedro Sánchez
Nirmala Sitharaman 34th among world’s 100 most powerful women: Forbes
 Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has been ranked 34th by Forbes in ‘The World’s 100 Most Powerful
Women’.
 HCL Corporation CEO and Executive Director Roshni Nadar Malhotra and Biocon Founder Kiran Mazumdar
Shaw are two other Indians who also featured in the above list.
 The Forbes 2019 list of ‘The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women’ has been topped by German Chancellor
Angela Merkel, followed by President of the European Central Bank Christine Lagarde in the 2nd spot and
Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, ranked 3rd.
 Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also featured on the list on the 29th position.
Extra Shots:
Forbes is an American business magazine. Published bi-weekly, it features original articles on finance, industry,
investing, and marketing topics. Forbes also reports on related subjects such as technology, communications, science,
politics, and law. Its headquarters is located in Jersey City, New Jersey.
 Editor-in-chief: Steve Forbes
HDFC Bank crosses $100 billion market capitalisation

 HDFC Bank has become the 3rd Indian firm to cross $100 billion mark in market capitalisation. HDFC Bank
has joined the league of Reliance Industries Ltd, which has a market cap of $140.74 billion, and Tata
Consultancy Services (TCS) that has a market cap of $114.60 billion.
 With this achievement, HDFC Bank is now ranked 110th in the list of world’s most valued companies.
 Among the world’s most valued banks and financial companies which have a market cap of over $100 billion,
HDFC Bank is ranked at 26th position.
Extra Shots:
HDFC: HDFC Bank Ltd. is an Indian banking and financial services company headquartered in Mumbai,
Maharashtra.
India became the world’s 3rd largest publisher of science and engineering articles
 The US National Science Foundation (NSF) reported that India has become the world's third-largest publisher
of science and engineering articles.
 It has published over 1.35 lakh scientific papers.
 China topped the report as the world's largest publisher.
Top 05 countries in the list are:
1) China with 5,28,263 science and engineering articles
2) The US with 4,22,808 science and engineering articles
3) India with 2,555,959 science and engineering articles
4) Germany with 1,04,396 science and engineering articles
5) Japan with 98,793 science and engineering articles
India world’s 3rd largest producer of Scientific Articles
Page 85 of 125
 India has emerged as the world’s third-largest publisher of science and engineering articles, according to a
latest US report.
 In 2008, India published 48,998 science and engineering articles.
 This increased to 1,35,788 articles in 2018 and the country now accounts for 5.31 per cent of the total world
publications in science and engineering.
 China, which accounts for 20.67 per cent of all global publications in scientific articles, is at the top position,
followed by the US at 16.54 per cent, as per the statistics compiled by the US National Science Foundation
(NSF).
India ranks 47th in house price appreciation during July, September

 India ranks 47th in the world in terms of appreciation in housing prices as rates grew by only 0.6 percent
during the July-September quarter over the year-ago period on slow demand, global property consultant
Knight Frank.
 India stood at 11th position in the April-June quarter of 2019, with a 7.7 percent year-on-year rise in home
prices.
Ratan Tata Gautam Adani among India's top 10 most Googled business tycoons
 Tata Sons chairman Ratan Tata emerged as India's most searched business tycoon on Google in 2019.
 Google released a Year in Search 2019 report shows what was trending on the world's largest search engine
during the year in India.
Extra Shots:
“India State of Forest Report 2019” released

 The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change released the biennial “India State of Forest
Report (ISFR)”, in New Delhi.
 The report provides information on forest cover, tree cover, mangrove cover, growing stock inside and outside
the forest areas, carbon stock in India’s forests, Forest Types and Biodiversity, Forest Fire monitoring and
forest cover in different slopes & altitudes.
 The report is published by the Forest Survey of India (FSI).
 This is the 16th edition of India State of Forest Report.
 In comparison to the assessment of 2017, there is an increase of 5,188 sq. km in the total forest and tree cover
of the country.
Page 86 of 125
 The total forest and tree cover of the country is 80.73 million hectare. It is 24.56% of the total geographical
area of the country.
 The forest and tree cover has increased by more than 130 million hectares in the last 4 years.
 Area-wise, Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover in the country.
 In terms of forest cover as percentage of total geographical area, the top five States are Mizoram (85.41%),
Arunachal Pradesh (79.63%), Meghalaya (76.33%), Manipur (75.46%) and Nagaland (75.31%).
 The top 3 states showing increase in forest cover are Karnataka (1,025 sq. km) followed by Andhra Pradesh
(990 sq km) and Kerala (823 sq km).
 Top three states showing mangrove cover increase are Gujarat (37 sq km) followed by Maharashtra (16 sq
km) and Odisha (8 sq km).
 Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change: Prakash Javadekar.
Extra Shots:
FSI: Forest Survey of India, founded in June 1981 and headquartered at Dehradun in Uttarakhand, is a Government
of India Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change organisation for conducting forest studies and research
to periodically monitor the changing situation of land and forest resources and present the data for national planning,
conservation and sustainable management of environmental protection as well for the implementation of social
forestry projects.
 Headquarters location: Dehradun
 Founded: 1 June 1981
 Parent organisation: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India
 Region served: India
 Formation: 1June 1981
Agreements and MoU Signed
India signed MoU with Qatar to set up University campus

 Maharashtra's Savitribai Phule Pune University (STPU) and Qatar's Milestone International Education signed
a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enable the University to set up its campus in Doha.
 The aim of the agreement is to provide opportunities in higher education to around 8 million Indian diaspora
based in Qatar.
 The MoU will promote cooperation between the two institutions with the support of the government of the
State of Qatar.
 It will open new avenues and opportunities for the Indian community in Qatar.
Extra Shots:
Qatar (Capital/Currency): Doha/ Qatari riyal
 Prime Minister: Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani
Walmart launches credit card in partnership with HDFC Bank

 Walmart India, in partnership with HDFC Bank, launched a co-branded credit card exclusively for members
of its Best Price Modern Wholesale “B2B Cash & Carry” stores, offering “free credit up to 50 days.
Page 87 of 125
 The card is being supported by Diners Club International which has acceptance of its own membership card in
185 countries.
Extra Shots:
HDFC: HDFC Bank Ltd. is an Indian banking and financial services company headquartered in Mumbai,
Maharashtra.
Walmart Inc. is an American multinational retail corporation that operates a chain of hypermarkets, discount
department stores, and grocery stores, headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas. The company was founded by Sam
Walton in 1962 and incorporated on October 31, 1969.
 Owner: Walton family
 CEO: Doug McMillon
World Bank arm IFC invests $200 million in Mahindra Finance

 The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a unit of the World Bank Group, has anchored an investment
round of $200million in Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited (MMFSL).
 Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited (MMFSL) is a Rural NBFC (Non-Banking Financial
Company) with the objective to create a ‘pool’ specifically for financing micro, small and medium enterprises
(MSMEs) in low-income states.
 IFC is investing $75 million from its own account and mobilizing another $125 million as parallel loans.
 At the same time, Mahindra Finance has committed to invest $225 million in this fund.
Extra Shots:
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments of poorer
countries for the purpose of pursuing capital projects. It comprises two institutions: the International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development, and the International Development Association.
 Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
 Membership: 189 countries (IBRD); 173 countries (IDA)
 Parent organization: World Bank Group
 Founded: 1944
India, Sweden signed MoU for Healthcare Innovation Centre

 India and Sweden have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for India-Sweden Healthcare
Innovation Centre in New Delhi.
 The MoU aims to deepen the collaboration in the field of innovation through the strategic innovation
partnership.
MoU:
♦ The innovation Centre aims to develop an ecosystem of open innovation.
♦ Also, the start-ups and the healthcare delivery stakeholders can collaborate and address current and future
challenges in the healthcare sector.
♦ The MOU focuses on creating new partnerships within the public, private and academic sectors.
Extra Shots:
Sweden (Capital/Currency): Stockholm/ Swedish krona
 Prime Minister: Stefan Löfven
Page 88 of 125
Cabinet approved JDI signed between India and Germany to strengthen Indian railways
 The Union Cabinet assessed and approved the Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) between India and Germany.
 The JDI was aimed at strengthening the cooperation on strategic projects in the field of Railways.
 The Joint Declaration of Intent was signed in the month of November 2019.
 Under the agreement, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy of Germany will provide a
platform to Indian Railways to interact and share the latest developments and knowledge in the field of
Railways.
 The agreement will conduct the exchange of information expert meetings, seminars, technical visits and
implementation of jointly agreed cooperation projects.
Extra Shots:
Germany (Capital/Currency): Berlin/Euro
 President: Frank-Walter Steinmeier
Cabinet approved ECIs proposal to sign MoU with the Election Commission of Maldives
 The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the proposal of the Election
Commission to enter into the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Election Commission of
Maldives on cooperation in the area of electoral management and administration.
 The proposal includes the exchange of knowledge and experience in the field of organizational and technical
development of the electoral process.
Extra Shots:
ECI: The Election Commission of India is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering
election processes in India at national, state and district level.
Objectives: Constitutional Autonomous Body conducts the elections to the offices of the President and Vice-
President of India,Parliament,State Legislative assemblies and Legislative councils.
 Jurisdiction: Government of India
 First executive: Sukumar Sen
 Preceding executive: Om Prakash Rawat
Maldives (Capital/Currency): Male/ Maldivian rufiyaa
 President: Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank signs MoU for bancassurance

 Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank (KVGB) and Canara, HSBC, Oriental Bank of Commerce, Life Insurance
Company Ltd. signed an MoU for bancassurance (for selling life insurance products through the branches of
KVGB).
 As per the pact, KVGB will market wide range insurance products of the Canara HSBC through its 636
branches in 9 districts of Karnataka.
Extra Shots:
Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank
 Founded: September 12, 2005.
 Headquarters: Dharwad, Karnataka.
 Chairman: Puttaganti Gopi Krishna.
 Sponsored by: Syndicate Bank.
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IEPFA signed MoU with Bank of Baroda for Investor awareness

 Investor Education & Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) signs MOU with Bank of Baroda on 4 December
2019 for information dissemination and reaching out to investors and stakeholders.
 It aims to help various investors who often fall prey to tempting offers for investments and Ponzi schemes.
 The MoU will spread customer awareness and investor education by strengthening ties with IEPFA.
 The MoU is expected to inculcate the habit of educating oneself among the stakeholders and potential
investors.
Extra Shots:
BOB: Bank of Baroda is an Indian Multinational, public sector Banking and Financial Services Company. It is the
third largest public sector bank in India with a business mix of close to US$225 billion.
 Tagline: India's International Bank
ICAI MoU KAAA signed MoU to offer technical training programs

 The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
the Kuwait Accountants and Auditors Association (KAAA) on 4 December 2019.
 Under the MoU, the ICAI will offer technical training programs in collaboration with the KAAA to
employees of the Kuwait government, Kuwait nationals and members of the KAAA.
 The MOU will strengthen the relationship between the two organizations.
 It will establish areas of cooperation for the benefit of the two organizations and enhance their reputation and
global influence.
Extra Shots:
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI):
 Formed on: 1 July 1949
 Headquarters: New Delhi, India
 President: Prafulla Chhajed
 Vice President: Atul Kumar Gupta
BlackBuck partners with IDFC Bank, Yes Bank to offer free FASTags to truckers
 The Online trucking platform BlackBuck has partnered with private lenders IDFC Bank and Yes Bank to
provide FASTags to truck owners free of cost.
 Truck owners can order FASTags on BlackBuck’s Boss App, a digital services platform exclusively for truck
fleet owners, and it will be delivered at their doorstep free of cost until December 31, 2019.
 The initiative is expected to help over 3 million trucks in India become FASTag compliant.
Extra Shots:
Yes Bank Limited is an Indian private sector bank, founded by Rana Kapoor and Ashok Kapur in 2004. It primarily
operates as a corporate bank, with retail banking and also asset management as subsidiary functions.
 CEO: Ravneet Gill
 Founder: Rana Kapoor
IEPFA signs MOU with Bank of Baroda for Investor Awareness
Page 90 of 125
 Investor Education & Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) works under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, has
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Bank of Baroda (BoB) to spread customer awareness
and investor education and reaching out to investors and stakeholders.
 As per the agreement, 9,456 BoB branches will exhibit IEPFA posters on investor protection & 3,115 ATMs
(Automated Teller Machine) and Cash Recyclers supported by self-service channels will feature digital
banners on IEPFA.
Extra Shots:
BOB: Bank of Baroda is an Indian Multinational, public sector Banking and Financial Services Company. It is the
third largest public sector bank in India with a business mix of close to US$225 billion.
India-Bangladesh ties transcend strategic partnership

 The ties between India and Bangladesh for transcend strategic partnership.
 The multidimensional relationship between the two countries covers not only traditional areas like trade,
commerce, security and border management but also new areas such as IT, space and nuclear science among
others.
 India is a committed development partner of Bangladesh with a credit line worth 8 billion US dollars of which
80% is earmarked for infrastructure and connectivity sector.
Extra Shots:
NTPC signs pact for Rs. 5,000 crores with SBI

 National Thermal Power Corporation Limited has signed a term loan agreement for Rs. 5,000 crore with State
Bank of India.
 The loan facility has been extended at an interest rate linked to 3 Months MCLR of the bank and has a door to
door tenure of 15 years.
 The loan will be utilised to part finance the capital expenditure of NTPC.
Extra Shots:
NTPC Limited, formerly known as National Thermal Power Corporation Limited, is an Indian Public Sector
Undertaking, engaged in the business of generation of electricity and allied activities. It is a company incorporated
under the Companies Act 1956 and is promoted by the Government of India.
 Founded: 1975
 Owner: Government of India
India provided USD 500 million Line of Credit to Bangladesh

 India provided a $500 million Line of Credit (LoC) to Bangladesh on 5 December.
 The funding is for defenCe-related procurement in Bangladesh.
Extra Shots:
NSIC, Aramco Asia signs MoU for the development of Ministry of MSME
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 A Memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC)
and Aramco Asia.
 The MoU was signed by Sh. P. Udayakumar, Director (P&M) from NSIC and Mr. Mohammed Al Mughirah,
President, Aramco Asia.
 The MoU is aimed for the development of Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)
Ecosystem in India in Oil & Gas Sector.
 The MoU will pave a way for accredited Indian MSMEs to carve out a space as vendors in the Global space.
Extra Shots:
 NSIC: NSIC functions under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. NSCI acts as the nodal
agency for various schemes of Ministry of MSME including Single Point Registration, Performance and
Credit Rating, National SC-ST Hub, MSME Databank, etc. Founded on: 1955
 Chairman & MD: Vijayendra
Dell Technologies, UNESCO tie up to boost quality of education

 Dell Technologies announced a new partnership with UNESCO MGIEP (Mahatma Gandhi Institute of
Education for Peace) to enable school teachers to adopt technology in classrooms by using ICT tools.
 The information and communication technology (ICT) tools have been developed by Dell Aarambh and
FramerSpace platform.
Extra Shots:
 Formation: 4 November 1946; 73 years ago
 Parent organization: United Nations Economic and Social Council
Mongla and Chattogram declared as Ports of Call under the “Coastal Shipping Agreement’
 The Ministry of Shipping (MoS) announced that Mongla and Chattogram (Both in Bangladesh) have been
declared as Ports of Call under “Coastal Shipping Agreement” between India & Bangladesh.
 The Port of Mongla is declared as Port of Call under PIWT&T (Protocol on Inland Water Transit and Trade )
and Chattogram port is not part of PIWT&T.
 The Ports of Call in India are Kolkata (West Bengal), Haldia (West Bengal), Pandu, Karimganj (Assam),
Silghat (Assam), Dhubri (Assam).
Extra Shots:
Maldives signs contract with JV of Indian companies for development of Addu

 Maldives government has signed a contract with a joint venture of Indian companies. The contract aims to
prepare project report and the development of Addu, which is the second biggest city in the island nation.
 The contract was signed L & T engineering limited and Lea associates south asia for the Addu Road and
Reclamation Project. The project includes land reclamation, construction of roads and storm water
drainage system in Addu.
Page 92 of 125
 This will upgrade existing infrastructure and mitigate the flood situation in Addu.
 Financing of the project will be done by EXIM bank of India through line of credit of USD 800 million.
DELL partners will UNESCO to adopt technology in classrooms
 Dell Technologies has signed an agreement with UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace
(MGIEP) to enable school teachers to adopt technology in classrooms by using Information Communication
Technology (ICT) tools.
 The ICT tools were developed by Dell Aarambh and FramerSpace platforms.
Extra Shots:
 Formation: 4 November 1946
India, Indonesia resolve to strengthen cooperation in several areas

 India and Indonesia have joined together to strengthen cooperation in areas of defence and security,
connectivity and trade.
 It happened during talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Indonesian counterpart Retno
Marsudi in New Delhi.
 Retno Marsudi is on her visit to India.
 Both the countries reviewed the entire range of ties at the 6th India-Indonesia Joint Commission Meeting
(JCM).
Extra Shots:
Indonesia (Capital/Currency): Jakarta/ Indonesian rupiah
 President: Joko Widodo
CSIR and CNRS signed MoU to promote Scientific and Technological Research
 Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the
National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), France on 17 December 2019.
 The aim of the MoU is to establish a framework for cooperation between India and France towards promotion
and support of scientific and technological research.
 CSIR and CNRS plan to strengthen their cooperation to foster joint innovation and transfer of technologies
applicable to India or/and France and to other nations.
Extra Shots:
CSIR: The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research abbreviated as CSIR was established by the Government of
India in September of 1942 as an autonomous body that has emerged as the largest research and development
organisation in India.
CNRS: The French National Center for Scientific Research is the French state research organisation and is the largest
fundamental science agency in Europe. In 2016, it employed 31,637 staff, including 11,137 tenured researchers,
13,415 engineers and technical staff, and 7,085 contractual workers.
Apple, Amazon & Google partners for ‘Connected Home over IP’
 “Amazon.com Inc”, “Apple Inc” and Alphabet Inc’s “Google” have announced a partnership to lay the
groundwork for better compatibility among their smart home products.
Page 93 of 125
 Zigbee Alliance, whose members include IKEA and NXP Semiconductors among others, will also contribute
to the project, titled ‘Connected Home over IP’.
 The partnership aims to make it easier for device manufacturers to build products that are compatible with
smart home and voice services such as Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant.
GeM signs MoU with BoM, UCO Bank to provide a number of services
 The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) signed two memorandum of understandings (MoU) with Bank of
Maharashtra and UCO Bank.
 The MoU aimed to provide a number of services.
 The MoU will facilitate the transfer of funds through GeM Pool Accounts (GPA).
 The Banks will also provide advise on the Performance Bank Guarantees (e-PBG) and Earnest Money
Deposit (EMD) to the registered users on the GeM portal.
Extra Shots:
BOM: Bank of Maharashtra is a major public sector bank in India. Government of India holds 87.74% of the total
shares. The bank has 15 million customers across the length and breadth of the country served through 1897 branches
as of 5 April 2016.
 Headquarters: Pune
 CEO: A. S. Rajeev
 Owner: Government of India
India signed USD250 mn loan with ADB to expand energy efficiency investments
 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India signed a $250 million loan to Energy
Efficiency Services Limited (EESL).
 The agreement aims to expand energy efficiency investments in India.
 The agreement is expected to benefit residential, agricultural, and institutional consumers.
 The Clean Technology Fund (CTF) will provide $46 million in financing. It will be administered by ADB.
 In 2016, EESL was offered a $200 million by ADB for Demand-Side Energy Efficiency Sector Project.
 The project focused on efficient lighting and appliances.
Extra Shots:
 President: Takehiko Nakao
Railway Ministry signed MoU with Birmingham University to establish Centre of Excellence
 The National Rail Transport Institute (NRTI) signed an MoU with the University of Birmingham on 18
December 2019 in New Delhi.
 The aim is to set up the first Centre of Excellence for Next-Generation Transportation Systems in Railways.
Extra Shots:
Page 94 of 125
India and Iran agree to accelerate Chabahar development

 India and Iran agreed to accelerate work on the strategic Chabahar project.
 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held wide-ranging talks with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif on
regional and global issues of mutual interest.
 Chabahar port jointly being developed by India, Iran and Afghanistan is considered a gateway to golden
opportunities for trade with central Asian nations by the three countries.
 It is located on the Indian Ocean in the Sistan and Baluchestan province of Iran.
 Iran and Afghanistan inked a pact the establishment of Transit and Transport Corridor among the three
countries using Chabahar Port.
Extra Shots:
Iran (Capital/Currency): Tehran/ Iranian rial
 President: Hassan Rouhani
Federal Bank ties up with Magicbricks
 Private sector lender Federal Bank has tied up with online real estate platform Magicbricks for listing and e-
auctioning of immovable properties repossessed by it in recovery proceedings.
 The move is aimed at speedy recovery of the bank’s impaired assets while helping customers get the best rate
in the market for their properties.
Extra Shots:
Federal Bank: Federal Bank is a Private Sector, scheduled commercial bank in India, headquartered in Aluva,
Kochi. The Bank also has its Representative Offices abroad at Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
 Establishment: 1939 (as Travancore Federal Bank); December 1949 (Federal Bank).
 Headquarter: Kochi, Kerala.
 Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer: Shyam Srinivasan.
 Tagline: Your Perfect Banking Partner.
Ashok Leyland, Citicorp Finance ink MoU for commercial vehicles financing
 Hinduja Group's flagship firm Ashok Leyland partnered with Citicorp Finance India Ltd for financing
commercial vehicles.
 The company has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Citicorp Finance to enter into a
strategic financing partnership for two years, to offer customized financial solutions to customers across India.
 Under the MoU, Citicorp Finance will be a preferred financier for providing finance to the customers buying
Ashok Leyland vehicles.
 Citicorp Finance will work in close coordination with the authorised dealers of Ashok Leyland to provide
financial solutions to customers.
Page 95 of 125
Appointments
Name of the person Appointed as Extra info

Soma Roy Burman Controller General of Accounts 7th woman to hold the post. The
1986-batch Indian Civil Accounts
Service (ICAS) Officer will be
succeeding JPS Chawla.
Hari Mohan chairman of the Ordnance Factory Board Succeeded Shri Saurabh Kumar
(OFB).
Lt Gen Podali Shankar 14th Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman Before assuming the present
Rajeshwar & Nicobar Command (CINCAN). appointment, he was Chief of
Integrated Defence Staff to the
Chairman Chiefs of Staff
Committee (CISC).
Sundar Pichai Alphabet Inc. CEO Larry Page is still CEO of Google's
parent company, Alphabet Pichai
has the incredibly important job of
making sure that the company's
core businesses and cash cow stay
strong
Masatsugu Asakawa ADB President Asakawa, who is currently special

advisor to Japan’s prime minister
and finance minister, was
unanimously elected by the bank’s
board of governors. Asakawa would
succeed Takehiro Nakao
Pritivirajsing Roopun President of Mauritius He was former arts and culture
minister of country
Vice Admiral Ravneet Singh Chief of Personnel of the Indian Navy Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar has
been appointed as Chief of
Integrated Defence Staff to The
Chairman Chiefs of Staff
Committee at HQIDS.
K Vijay Kumar Senior Security Advisor in the Union Home He was the Chief of the Special
Ministry. Task Force of Tamil Nadu that was
involved in the death of
the Veerappan during Operation
Cocoon of 2004.
Page 96 of 125
Girish Chandra Chaturvedi Chairman of NSE Succeeded Ashok Chawla
Anuranjita Kumar MD & Head of HR, at the Royal Bank Of

Scotland has announced her exit from the
UK bank.
Arnab Goswami News Broadcasters Federation governing editor and majority owner of the
board president news channel Republic TV.
C. Sugandh Rajaram India’s next envoy to the Republic of Ghana Fomer Consul General, Consulate
General of India, Munich
Sunil Chhetri PUMA brand ambassador
Ripu Daman Bevli Plogging Ambassador of India. Polularly Known as Plogman of

India
Salman Khan Pepsi’s new brand ambassador
Rohit Sharma Brand Ambassador of La Liga

TV Somanathan expenditure secretary in the finance Secretary, Department of
ministry. Expenditure, Ministry of Finance.
Ankur Garg chief commercial officer of AirAsia India founder of iForIndia.org, a social
organization
Boris Jhonson Prime Minister of UK British politician, writer, and former
journalist serving as Prime Minister
of the United
Kingdom and Leader of
the Conservative Party since 2019.
Atul Karwal Director of National Police Academy
Devesh Srivastava Chairman and Managing Director (MD) at Succeeded Alice Vaidyan
the General Insurance Corporation India
(GIC Re).
Justice CV Ramulu Lokayukta of Telangana. Former High Court Judge
Sethuraman Panchanathan lead the National Science Foundation On June 13, 2014, he was
(NSF). nominated by President Barack
Obama as a member of the National
Science Board of National Science
Foundation.
Shiv Das Meena Chairman of Patna Metro Rail Corporation Former: Chairman cum Managing
Limited (PMRC). Director (CMD) of National
Buildings Construction Corporation
(NBCC).
Dr Monisha Ghosh first woman Chief Technology Officer at
the US government’s powerful Federal
Page 97 of 125
Communications Commission (FCC).
Justice Gulzar Ahmed 27th Chief Justice of Pakistan.
Harsh Vardhan Shringla Foreign Secretary Succeeded Vijay Gokhale
Sangita Reddy President of FICCI for 2019-20 Joint Managing Director of Apollo
Hospitals Enterprise
Niranjan Hiranandani president of The Associated Chambers of Dr Hiranandani is widely known as
Commerce & Industry of India (Assocham) ‘Builder Extraordinaire
Rajeev Kumar principal secretary in the Information,
Technology and Electronics Department.
Dr Noonsavath Thirumala Naik Labour Commissioner.
Sridhar Patra chairman-cum-managing director of

NALCO
Safra Catz Oracle CEO Oracle announced that Larry
Ellison would step down as CEO
and that Mark Hurd and Catz had
been named as the new Chief
Executives.
Maneul Marrero Cuba’s PM 17th Prime Minister of Cuba, and
the first since Cuba resurrected the
office of the Prime Minister in
December 2019 after the 43-year
abolishment of the position from
1976 to 2019
RN Ravi, Governor of additional charge of Meghalaya
Nagaland,
Ravi Mittal I&B Secretary
Hemanth Soren 11th CM of Jharkhand Succeeded Raghubar Das
Ajit Pawar Deputy CM of Maharashtra
General Bipin Rawat 1st Chief of Defence Staff He served as Chairman of the Chiefs
of Staff Committee as well as 27th
Chief of Army Staff of the Indian
Army
Abdelaziz Djerrad Algeria PM
Sports Current Affairs
Page 98 of 125
13th South Asian Games Kicked Off in Nepal

 The 13th edition of South Asian Games has officially kicked off after the opening ceremony at Dasharath
Stadium in Kathmandu, Nepal.
 The President of Nepal Bidhya Devi Bhandari declared the Games open at the three-hour programme, which
showcases the rich culture and diversity of Nepal at the newly reconstructed stadium.
 Nepal is hosting the regional sporting extravaganza for the third time from 01st to 10th December 2019 in
Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Janakpur.
Extra Shots:
Lewis Hamilton wins Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

 Mercedes racer Lewis Hamilton has won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix held in Abu Dhabi, UAE. He has claimed
his 84th career victory and 11th in 21 races of this year.
 Max Verstappen of Red Bull finished 2nd in the race whie Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished 3rd in the race.
Extra Shots:
Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik clinch gold in Senior Wrestling National C’ships
 Star wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Sakshi Malik registered convincing wins in the finals to claim gold medals
at the Senior Wrestling National Championships in Jalandhar, Punjab.
 While Phogat beat 20-year-old Haryana’s Anju 7-3 in the 55kg category, Olympic bronze medallist Malik
defeated Radhika of Haryana 4-2 in the 62kg category.
Extra Shots:
Punjab
 Chief Minister: Captain Amarinder Singh
 Governor: V.P. Singh Badnore
New Delhi to host 2020 National Sikh Games

 New Delhi is to host the National Sikh Games (NSG) 2020.
 The game will be held from 9-11 January 2020 across various venues in New Delhi.
 NSG is a modelled replica of Australian Sikh Games.
 The announcement was made by Manjinder Singh Sirsa, President Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Committee.
 NSG is dedicated to the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.
 Around 2,500 athletes from 10 States are expected to participate in the NSG.
 Around 16 sports competitions are to be held in the National Sikh Games.
 NSG is organized by Delhi based philanthropic Jap Jaap Sewa Trust in association with Delhi Sikh Gurdwara
Management Committee and various sports, cultural associations.
Extra Shots:
Delhi:
Page 99 of 125
WADA bans Russia from international sporting events for 4 years

 The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), banned Russia for 4 years, from participation in global sporting
events, including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
Extra Shots:
WADA: The World Anti-Doping Agency is a foundation initiated by the International Olympic Committee based in
Canada to promote, coordinate and monitor the fight against drugs in sports.
 Headquarters: Montreal, Canada
 Purpose: Anti-doping in sport
 Founder: Dick Pound
 Founded: 10 November 1999
 Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
13th South Asian Games concluded in Nepal

 The 13th South Asian Games concluded in Nepal.
 India finished on top with 312 medals comprising 174 gold, 93 silver and 45 bronze.
 Host Nepal remained second and Sri Lanka got third place.
 During the 10 days long biggest sporting event of South Asia, over 2700 athletes from India, Nepal,
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Maldives competed for 1119 medals. Sporting events in 26
games were held at Kathmandu, Pokhara and Janakpur.
Extra Shots:
Suniel Shetty signed as anti-doping brand ambassador NADA

 Actor Suniel Shetty has been selected as the brand ambassador of National Anti-Doping Agency NADA.
 The country’s anti-doping body is hoping that his celebrity status helps its efforts to clean up sports in the
country from the menace.
 More than 150 athletes have failed dope tests this year though bodybuilders make up more than one-third of
these offenders.
Extra Shots:
NADA: The National Anti-Doping Agency is the national organisation responsible for promoting, coordinating, and
monitoring the doping control program in sports in all its forms in India.
 CEO: Navin Agarwal
Wasim Jaffer becomes first Indian to play 150 Ranji matches

 Veteran opener Wasim Jaffer became the first player in Indian cricket to feature in 150 Ranji matches.
 The former India opener is now just 853 runs away from completing 20,000 runs in first-class cricket.
 Jaffer is followed by Madhya Pradesh batsman Devendra Bundela (145 matches) and Amol Muzumdar (136
matches), who have played for Mumbai and Assam.
 He also has a double hundred to his name — the highest score of 212 against West Indies in 2006 at St John’s.
 Jaffer has played 253 first-class games, scoring 19,147 runs at an average of 51.19.
India’s R. Praggnanandhaa wins London Chess Classic

 R. Praggnanandhaa from India has won the FIDE Open category of the London Chess Classic held in London.
Page 100 of 125
 He won the tournament with a tally of 7.5 points out of nine rounds.
 The 14-year-old Indian chess player finished joint first with Anton Smirnov of Australia both scoring 7.5
points.
GS Lakshmi to become 1st Woman Match Referee to officiate men’s ODI match
 Indian match referee GS Lakshmi is set to become the first woman match referee to officiate a men’s ODI
match.
 She will oversee the third series of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2.
 The opening match of the competition will take place between the United Arab Emirates and the United States
of America at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
FIH unveils new world ranking system for 2020
 The International Hockey Federation unveiled a new world ranking system for 2020 in Lausanne,
Switzerland.
 The new method will come into effect from the 1st January 2020.
 The new ranking will be match-based instead of tournament-based calculation.
 The new model is expected to remove the subjectivity surrounding continental weighing by creating a system
which is fair to all.
 The outgoing world ranking system was in existence since 2003.
 It was originally devised to allocate teams into pools at tournaments.
Extra Shots:
FIH: The Fédération Internationale de Hockey, commonly known by the acronym FIH, is the international governing
body of field hockey and indoor field hockey. Its headquarters are in Lausanne, Switzerland and the president is
Narinder Batra.
 Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland
 President: Narinder Batra
 Founded: 7 January 1924
 CEO: Thierry Weil
 Membership: 137 national associations
 Motto: FairPlay Friendship Forever
UWW named Deepak Punia as the Jr Freestyle Wrestler of the Year

 Indian Wrestler Deepak Punia has been named the Junior Freestyle Wrestler of the Year by the United World
Wrestling (UWW).
 He was transitted from junior to the senior circuit. Punia became the first Indian wrestler to win a junior world
title in 18 years.
 He won a silver medal on his debut at the Senior World Wrestling Championships 2019.
Extra Shots:
United World Wrestling (UWW): UWW is an international governing body for the sport of amateur wrestling. It
oversees wrestling at the Olympics. UWW hosts the event Wrestling World Championships.
 Formed on: 1912
Page 101 of 125

 Headquarters: Switzerland
 Membership: Representatives from 176 national federations
Ellyse Perry named 2019 Best cricketer and ODI player

 Ellyse Perry was named as women's Best cricketer and ODI player of 2019.
 The announcement was made by the world governing body International Cricket Council (ICC).
 Australian wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy was named the Best T20I Player.
 The top T20 cricketer won the title for a second straight year.
 Meg Lanning, the Australian team captain, was named skipper of the ICC's 50-overs and T20 teams of the
year 2019.
Mandhana in ICC’s ODI and T20 team of the year

 India opener Smriti Mandhana was named in both the International Cricket Council’s ODI and T20 teams of
the year.
 She has Jhulan Goswami, Poonam Yadav and Shikha Pandey for the company in the ODI team of the year
and all-rounder Deepti Sharma in the T20 side.
 Mandhana has played 51 ODIs and 66 T20Is for India, besides a couple of Test matches.
 She has combined tally of 3476 runs in T20Is and ODIs.
Extra Shots:
ICC: The International Cricket Council is the global governing body of cricket. It was founded as the Imperial
Cricket Conference in 1909 by representatives from Australia, England and South Africa. It was renamed as the
International Cricket Conference in 1965, and took up its current name in 1989.
 Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
 Chairperson: Shashank Manohar
 CEO: Manu Sawhney
 Membership: 104 members
Indian men’s football team ranked 108th in latest FIFA rankings

 The Indian men’s football team remained static at 108th spot in the year-ending FIFA rankings. India lost 11
places throughout the year.
 With 1187 total points, India is placed at 19th spot among Asian countries headed by Japan 28th.
Extra Shots:
FIFA: The Fédération Internationale de Football Association is a non-profit organization which describes itself as an
international governing body of association football, fútsal, beach soccer, and efootball. It is the highest governing
body of football.
 President: Gianni Infantino
 Headquarters: Zürich, Switzerland
 Founded at: Paris, France
Page 102 of 125
 Founded: 21 May 1904, Rue Saint-Honoré, Paris, France

 Senior Vice-President: Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa (AFC)
Mirabai Chanu wins Gold in 6th Qatar International Cup

 Indian weightlifter Mirabai Chanu won the women’s 49kg category gold medal to open India’s account at the
6th Qatar International Cup in Doha.
 She bagged gold with an effort of 194kg in the Olympic qualifying event, with the points which will come in
handy when the final rankings for Tokyo 2020 cut are done.
 She lifted 83kg in snatch and 111kg in clean and jerk to finish on top of the podium.
Extra Shots:
Qatar (Capital/Currency): Doha/ Qatari riyal
 Emir: Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani
Belgium crowned FIFA Team of the Year

 Belgium has been crowned FIFA ‘Team of the Year’ for the second successive time after a record-breaking
year for the global ladder.
 World champions France remains in the second place ahead of Brazil in third.
 Besides accumulating the biggest points haul, Qatar has also jumped a year-high 38 places, followed closely
by fellow climbers Algeria (up 32 ranks) and Japan (up 22 places).
Extra Shots:
FIFA: The Fédération Internationale de Football Association is a non-profit organization which describes itself as an
international governing body of association football, fútsal, beach soccer, and efootball. It is the highest governing
body of football.
 President: Gianni Infantino
 Headquarters: Zürich, Switzerland
 Founded at: Paris, France
 Founded: 21 May 1904, Rue Saint-Honoré, Paris, France
 Senior Vice-President: Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa (AFC)
ICC continues partnership with UNICEF for Women’s World T20

 The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced that it has extended its partnership with UNICEF
through to the Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 with the focus on empowering women and girls through
cricket.
 The money raised during the Women’s World T20 will go to similar projects in cricket playing nations,
including an innovative program to promote girls” participation in cricket in Sri Lanka and build peace in
communities.
 The ICC and UNICEF partnership commenced in 2015, as part of the ICC”s global community outreach
program ”Cricket 4 Good”.
Page 103 of 125

 During the Men’s 50-over World Cup held in England and Wales earlier this summer, UNICEF raised
$180,000 as part of ‘One Day 4 Children’ and this money will go directly to fund a girls’ cricket project in
Afghanistan.
Extra Shots:
ICC: The International Cricket Council is the global governing body of cricket. It was founded as the Imperial
Cricket Conference in 1909 by representatives from Australia, England and South Africa. It was renamed as the
International Cricket Conference in 1965, and took up its current name in 1989.
 Chairperson: Shashank Manohar
 CEO: Manu Sawhney
 Headquarters: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
 Membership: 104 members
UNICEF: The United Nations Children's Fund is a United Nations agency responsible for providing humanitarian
and developmental aid to children around the world.
 Headquarters: New York, New York, United States
 Head: Henrietta H. Fore
 Founded: 11 December 1946, New York, New York, United States
 Founders: United Nations General Assembly, Ludwik Rajchman
 Parent organizations: United Nations General Assembly, United Nations Economic and Social Council
Virat Kohli Becomes First Sportsperson To Top Forbes India Celebrity 100 List
 Virat Kohli Bollywood's biggest A-listers to top the Forbes India Celebrity 100 List in 2019 become the first
sportsperson to do so since its inception eight years ago.
 The top position with actors before Kohli, who earned Rs 252.72 crore between October 1, 2018, and
September 30, 2019.
Abid Ali becomes first Pak batsman to score centuries in his first two Tests
 Abid Ali became the first Pakistan cricketer to score centuries in his first two Test matches.
 The feat against Sri Lanka in the ongoing second Test of the two-match Test series at the National Stadium in
Karachi.
 Ali is currently at the crease unbeaten on 147.
 The opener made 109 in the first Test against Sri Lanka and as a result, become the first-ever batsman in the
history of the sport to score a century in his ODI and Test debut.
 He scored 112 runs in his first ODI against Australia earlier this year.
Extra Shots:
Pakistan (Capital/Currency): Islamabad/Pakistani Rupee
 Prime Minister: Imran Khan
 President: Arif Alvi
Leander Paes to retire from Tennis in 2020
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 Indian tennis ace Leander Paes has announced that 2020 will be his last year as a professional tennis player.
 Leander, who made his Olympic debut in 1992, will look for one final flourish at Tokyo Olympics next year.
 He has won eight doubles and ten mixed doubles Grand Slam titles.
South African seamer Vernon Philander announces retirement

 South African all-rounder Vernon Philander announced international retirement from all forms of cricket after
the conclusion of the upcoming Test series against England.
 He has played 97 matches across all three formats, taking a combined 261 wickets with 1784 runs in his
international career.
 He also took 51 wickets in his first seven Test matches which earned him the 2012 SA Cricketer of the Year
award.
Extra Shots:
South Africa (Capital/Currency): Cape Town, Pretoria, Bloemfontein/ South African rand
 President: Cyril Ramaphosa
MS Dhoni named captain of CA’s ODI team of the decade

 Former India skipper and wicket-keeper batsman MS Dhoni been named captain of Cricket Australia’s (CA)
ODI team of the decade and the line-up features three Indian players.
 Apart from Dhoni, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have made the cut in CA’s team.
 CA’s ODI team of the decade: Rohit Sharma, Hashim Amla, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Shakib Al Hasan,
Jos Buttler, MS Dhoni (c), Mitchell Starc, Trent Boult, Lasith Malinga, Rashid Khan.
Koneru Humpy becomes women’s World Rapid champion

 Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy wins the World Women’s Rapid Chess Championship held in Moscow,
Russia.
 She won the title after drawing the Armageddon game against Lei Tingjie of China.
 Humpy is only the second Indian to win the rapid gold in the current format after Vishwanathan Anand who
won it in 2017.
Kohli & Bumrah named in Wisden’s T20I Team of the decade

 India skipper Virat Kohli and pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah were the only Indians in Wisden’s T20
International team of the decade.
 Australia’s limited overs skipper Aaron Finch was named captain of the Wisden’s T20 International team of
the decade.
Australia paceman Peter Siddle retires from international cricket

 Australian pace bowler Peter Siddle has announced his retirement from International Cricket.
 In his career of 11 years, he represented Australia in 67 Tests, 20 ODIs and 2 Twenty20 matches.
 He took 221 wickets in 67 Test matches.
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 He started his International Cricket career against India in 2008.

Extra Shots:
Australia (Capital/Currency): Canberra/ Australian dollar
 Prime Minister: Scott Morrison
IOA ends boycott call for 2022 Commonwealth Games

 The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has withdrawn its boycott call for the 2022 Commonwealth Games to
be held in Birmingham.
 The decision was taken during its Annual General Meeting held in New Delhi.
 The cause of the boycott call was exclusion of shooting.
 IOA also announced that the country will bid to host either the 2026 or the 2030 edition.
Extra Shots:
IOA: The Indian Olympic Association is the body responsible for selecting athletes to represent India at the Olympic
Games, Asian Games and other international athletic meets and for managing the Indian teams at these events.
 Founded: 1927
 President: Dr. Nariner Dhruv Batra
 Secretary General: Rajeev Mehta
 Recognized: 1927
 Founders: Harry Buck, Arthur Noehren
Defence Current Affairs
BSF Celebrated its Raising Day

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings to Border Security Force (BSF) personnel on the
organization’s 55th raising day (01st December 2019).
 The BSF was raised in 1965 with the specific purpose of manning Indian borders as the ‘First Line of
Defence’ against infiltration, smuggling, and military assault.
Extra Shots:
BSF: The Border Security Force is the border defence organisation of India. It is one of the seven Central Armed
Police Forces of India, and was raised in the wake of the 1965 War on 1 December 1965, "for ensuring the security of
the borders of India and for matters connected there with".
 Motto: (Duty Unto Death)
 Founder: Khusro Faramurz Rustamji
India-Sri Lanka joint exercise “MITRA SHAKTI” begins

 The 7th edition of India-Sri Lanka joint exercise “MITRA SHAKTI” begins at Aundh Military Station, Pune.
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 It aims to build and promote positive relations between armies of both the countries focusing sub unit level
training on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in urban and rural environment.
 The bilateral exercise also signifies the strength of India-Sri Lanka relations in the field of military
cooperation and engagement.
Extra Shots:
Sri Lanka(Capital/Currency): Colombo, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte/ Sri Lankan rupee
 President: Gotabaya Rajapaksa
Indian Navy successfully testfired Brahmos supersonic cruise missile

 Indian Navy successfully test-fired the 290 km strike range Brahmos supersonic cruise missile.
 The supersonic cruise missile was test-fired in the Arabian Sea.
Extra Shots:
BrahMos:
♦ BrahMos is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile
♦ It can be launched from ships, aircraft, or land.
Shivangi became the first naval woman pilot in India

 Sub-Lieutenant Shivangi of the Indian Navy became the first naval woman pilot in India.
 She joined operational duties at the Kochi naval base on 2 December 2019.
 Shivangi received the qualification wings from Vice Admiral AK Chawla, the chief of Southern Naval
Command. She will fly the Naval Dornier.
Sub-Lieutenant Shivangi is from Muzzafarpur in Bihar.
India successfully test-fires indigenously developed nuke-capable Prithvi-II missile

 India successfully test-fired its indigenously developed surface-to-surface nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile
off Odisha coast.
 The Strategic Forces Command of the Indian Army conducted the user trial of the 350 km range missile from
a mobile launcher from launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur.
 The missile weighs about 4,600 kg, is capable of carrying 500 to 1000 kilograms of warheads and is thrust by
liquid propulsion twin engines.
Extra Shots:
Odisha:
ISRO to launch RISAT 2BR1 on 11 December

 ISRO has planned to launch sharp-eyed surveillance satellite RISAT-2BR1 (Radar Imaging Satellite-2) with
synthetic aperture radar (SAR) on 11 December 2019.
RISAT-2BR1:
♦ RISAT-2BR1 is a radar imaging satellite.
♦ It is dubbed as a spy satellite.
♦ It can take pictures of the earth during day and night even under cloudy conditions.
♦ The satellites will help 24/7 border surveillance along with checking infiltration
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♦ It will keep an eye on terror or anti-national activities across the borders

♦ ISRO also plans to launch radar imaging satellite 2BR2 with synthetic aperture radar after the launch.
Extra Shots:
Exercise Hand-in-Hand 2019

 The 8th India-China joint training exercise ‘HAND-IN-HAND 2019’ with the theme counter-terrorism under
United Nations mandate is scheduled to be conducted at Umroi, Meghalaya from 07 to 20 December 2019.
 The Chinese contingent from the Tibet Military command comprising of 130 personal and the Indian
Contingent of similar strength will participate in the 14-day long training exercise.
 The aim of the exercise is to practice joint planning and conduct of counter-terrorist operations in semi-urban
terrain.
Extra Shots:
Exercise INDRA 2019

 Exercise INDRA 2019 a joint, tri-services exercise between India and Russia will be conducted in India from
10-19 December 2019 simultaneously at Babina (near Jhansi), Pune, and Goa.
 The contingents of both countries will share expertise and their professional experience.
 The INDRA series of exercise began in 2003 and the First joint Tri-Services Exercise was conducted in 2017.
 Contingents, fighter and transport aircraft and ships of respective Army, Air Force, and Navy will be
participating in the 10-day long exercise.
 Exercise INDRA series began in 2003.
 The First Joint Tri-Services Exercise was conducted in 2017.
Extra Shots:
UAE, US joint military exercise ‘Iron Union 12’commences

 Iron Union 12’, a joint military exercise between the ground forces of the UAE and the United States,
commenced.
 ‘Iron Union 12′ will see the two sides take part in joint military cooperation to enhance combat and tactical
capabilities.
 The joint military exercises of the UAE Armed Forces with fraternal and friendly countries takes place in a
manner consistent with latest developments and reflects the UAE Armed Forces’ determination to stand
firmly against all threats and challenges facing the region.
Extra Shots:
Page 108 of 125

IH unveils new world ranking system for 2020

 The International Hockey Federation unveiled a new world ranking system for 2020 in Lausanne,
Switzerland. The new method will come into effect from the 1st January 2020.
 The new ranking will be match-based instead of tournament-based calculation.
 The new model is expected to remove the subjectivity surrounding continental weighing by creating a
system which is fair to all.
 The outgoing world ranking system was in existence since 2003. It was originally devised to allocate
teams into pools at tournaments
ISRO launched RISAT-2BR1 with nine commercial satellites

 ISRO launched the RISAT-2BR1 satellite on 11 December 2019. India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle
(PSLV) launched RISAT-2BR1, the fiftieth flight (PSLV-C48), along with nine commercial satellites from
Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, Sriharikota.
 RISAT-2BR1 was injected successfully into an orbit of 576 km.
RISAT-2BR1:
♦ RISAT-2BR1 is a radar imaging satellite.
♦ It is dubbed as a spy satellite.
♦ The mission life span of RISAT-2BR1 is 5 years.
♦ The satellite weighs about 628 kg
♦ It can take pictures of the earth during day and night even under cloudy conditions.
♦ The satellites will help monitor the border 24/7 along with checking infiltration
♦ It will keep an eye on terror or anti-national activities across the borders
♦ The satellite aims to provide services in the field of Forestry, Agriculture, and Disaster Management.
Extra Shots:
Exercise Mitra Shakti VII culminated on Pune

 The seventh edition of Exercise Mitra Shakti-VII 2019 concluded on 14 December 2019 at Aundh Military
Station, Pune.
 The exercise was held between the Indian Army and the Sri Lankan Army.
 The exercise is a part of the United Nations peacekeeping forces.
 The exercise was held from 1-14 December 2019.
Extra Shots:
Sri Lanka(Capitals/Currency): Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte/Sri Lankan rupee.
 Prime minister: Ranil Wickremesinghe
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 President: Maithripala Sirisena
GRSE delivered an LCU to the Indian Navy

 Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) delivered a Landing Craft Utility (LCU) to the Indian
Navy.
 It will add to the country's maritime security prowess.
 The LCU is 62.8 metres long, 11 metres wide.
 It has a displacement of 830 tonnes, with a low draught of 1.7 metres.
Anti-hijacking exercise conducted in Kochi port

 The Indian Navy, in collaboration with Indian Coast Guard, Cochin Port Trust and all other concerned
stakeholders, conducted a large-scale anti-hijacking exercise off the Port of Kochi.
 The Exercise code-named “Apharan” saw the participation of multiple agencies, including more than 12 ships
and helicopters of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and Cochin Port Trust.
DRDO successfully test-fired the Upgraded version of Pinaka rocket

 An upgraded version of India's indigenously developed Pinaka guided rocket system was successfully test-
fired from Odisha coast on 19 December 2019.
 The rocket aims to boost the Army's artillery power. It was fired from the Proof and Experimental
Establishment firing test range at Chandipur.
 The multi-barrel rocket launch system was developed by the Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO)
 The weapon system was mounted on a Tatra truck.
 It is equipped with a guidance kit comprising an advanced navigation and control system.
 In March 2019, three successful trials of the Pinaka guided rocket system were conducted from the Pokhran
test range in Rajasthan.
Extra Shots:
DRDO: The Defence Research and Development Organisation is an agency of the Government of India, charged
with the military's research and development, headquartered in New Delhi, India.
 Motto: ; "Strength's Origin is in Science" (Sanskrit)
 Founded: 1958
 Minister responsible: Rajnath Singh, Minister of Defence
 Chairman: Dr G. Satheesh Reddy
Upgraded version of Pinaka Rocket successfully test-fired off Odisha coast
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 An upgraded version of the indigenously developed Pinaka-guided rocket system with enhanced strike range
and guidance system was successfully test-fired from the DRDO’s Proof and Experimental Establishment
firing test range off Odisha coast.
 The system has a maximum range of 40 km for Mark-I and 75 km for Mark-II and can fire a salvo of 12 HE
rockets in 44 seconds.
 It is mounted on a Tatra truck for mobility.
Extra Shots:
Odisha:
Exercise INDRA 2019 concluded on 19 December

 The second edition of Exercise INDRA 2019 concluded at Babina, Pune, and Goa on 19 December.
 The joint tri-services exercise was held between India and Russia from 10-19 December 2019.
 The exercise was aimed to strengthen the ties between the defence forces of India and Russia.
 It focused to combat the threat of global terrorism nations and by countries around the world.
Extra Shots:

5th Edition of ARTECH to be held in New Delhi

 The 5th edition of ARTECH is being organised by Indian Army on ‘Technologies for Non-Contact Warfare’
which will be organised on 23 December 2019 at Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantonment.
 The seminar is the flagship event of the Indian Army which sets the agenda for focus areas of harvesting
indigenous capabilities in the Defence sector.
 ARTECH Seminar was launched in 2016 as part of the overall vision of ‘Make in India’ of Hon’ble Prime
Minister and is conducted every year as part of events leading to Army Day celebrations.
Extra Shots:
Delhi:

India test fires QRSAM System

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 Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM) system developed by Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO) was successfully flight-tested from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the Odisha
coast.
 The missile was flight-tested with the full configuration in deployment mode intercepting the target mid-air,
meeting the mission objectives.
 With this mission, the developmental trials of the weapon system are successfully completed and the weapon
system is expected to be ready for induction by 2021.
Extra Shots:
QRSAM: The QRSAM weapon system, which operates on the move, comprises of fully automated Command and
Control System, Active Array Battery Surveillance Radar, Active Array Battery Multifunction Radar and Launcher.
Indian Coast Guard conducts ‘Swachchh Samundra NW-2019’

 The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) conducted a two-day regional level pollution response exercise named
‘Swachchh Samundra NW-2019’ at sea off Vadinar in Gulf of Kutch.
 The exercise was conducted to validate and reinforce the response mechanism for oil pollution incidents and
enable the Indian Coast Guard to fine-tune the actions required in such eventualities.
 The exercise was conducted in two phases.
 The Gulf of Kutch (GoK) region handles 70 per cent of the oil imported by India and 11 Single Point
Moorings (SPMs) out of total 27 SPM.
Extra Shots:
ICG: The Indian Coast Guard is an armed force that protects India's maritime interests and enforces maritime law,
with jurisdiction over the territorial waters of India, including its contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone.
 Motto: (Sanskrit); Vayam Rakṣāmaḥ (IAST); We protect (English)
 Director General: Director General Krishnaswamy Natrajan, PTM, TM
 Additional Director General: Additional Director General Krupa Ram Nautiyal, PTM, TM
 Founder: Parliament of India
Raksha Mantri launches DefExpo 2020 mobile app

 Raksha Mantri has launched the “DefExpo 2020” mobile app of the forthcoming DefExpo 2020. The app has
been developed by Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence (MoD). It provides detailed
information about the daily events, participating exhibitors, Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs),
guest speakers of seminars/webinars, publications, and directions of the venues and city weather.
 The main features of the app constitutes inform, engage and feedback.
IAF bids farewell to the iconic “MiG-27” fighter aircraft
Page 112 of 125

 The Indian Air Force bids farewell to the iconic “MiG-27” with a decommissioning ceremony at the Jodhpur
air base.
 The Mig 27 is a soviet origin aircraft that was built under licence by HAL and became a part of the IAF strike
fleet in 1985.
 The jet contributed significantly in wars and peace-keeping operations and also emerged as the real hero in the
1999 Kargil war.
 It’s contribution in the Kargil war earned it the title ‘Bahadur’.
Extra Shots:
IAF: The Indian Air Force is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. Its complement of personnel and aircraft assets
ranks fourth amongst the air forces of the world. Its primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and to conduct aerial
warfare during armed conflict. Wikipedia
 Founded: 8 October 1932, India
 Role: Aerial warfare
 Attack: Jaguar, Harpy
 Commander-in-Chief: President Ram Nath Kovind
Home Minister lays foundation stone of CRPF Headquarters in New Delhi

 Union Home Minister laid the foundation stone of Directorate General Building of Central Reserve Police
Force (CRPF) in New Delhi.
 The new building at a cost of Rs 280 crore will have all modern facilities and green amenities.
 It will also have effective control and command system with modern training modules for 3.5 lakh strong
force to enhance their operational capability.
 The Home Minister also launched a new logo “Garud” for those engaged in providing security to the common
man and VIPs.
Extra Shots:
CRPF: The Central Reserve Police Force is India's largest Central Armed Police Force and also considered to be
World's largest Paramilitary Force. It functions under the authority of the Ministry of Home Affairs of the
Government of India.
 Motto: " और "
Minister responsible: Amit Shah, Union Minister of Home Affairs
Indian Navy plans to build 24 submarines 6 of them nuclear powered

 The Indian Navy plans to build 24 submarines including six nuclear attack submarines.
 The Indian Navy the panel the Medium Refit Life Certification (MRLC) of submarine Sindhuraj since the
Russian side able to submit bank guarantees and integrity pact due to sanctions imposed by the US.
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 The Indian Navy stated that there are presently 15 conventional submarines and two nuclear submarines in its
fleet.
Extra Shots:
The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the Indian Armed Forces. The President of India is the Supreme Commander
of the Indian Navy. The Chief of Naval Staff, a four-star admiral, commands the navy.
 Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS): Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar, AVSM, VSM
 Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS): Admiral Karambir Singh, PVSM, AVSM
 Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (DCNS): Vice Admiral M. S. Pawar, AVSM, VSM
 Garrison/HQ: Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (Navy)
General Mukund Naravane becomes new Indian Army chief

 General Manoj Mukund Naravane took charge as the 28th Chief of Army Staff.
 He succeeded General Bipin Rawat who retired on 31st December, 2019.
 Earlier, General Naravane was serving as vice chief of the Indian Army.
 In his 37 years of service, he has also headed the Army’s Eastern Command that takes care of India’s nearly
4,000-km border with China.
Extra Shots:
Indian Army: The Indian Army is the land-based branch and the largest component of the Indian Armed Forces. The
President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Army, and it is commanded by the Chief of Army Staff,
who is a four-star general.
 Motto: "Service Before Self"
 Commander-in-Chief: President Ram Nath Kovind
 Size: 1,237,117 active personnel; 960,000 reserve personnel; 209 manned aircraft
 Role: Ground warfare
S S Deswal given additional charge of DG of CRPF

 S S Deswal has been given the “additional” charge to head Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
 The Union home ministry took the decision as CRPF’s serving Director General (DG) R R Bhatnagar retired
on 31st December, 2019. S S Deswal is presently serving as the Director General of Indo-Tibetan Border
Police (ITBP).
Extra Shots:
CRPF: The Central Reserve Police Force is India's largest Central Armed Police Force and also considered to be
World's largest Paramilitary Force. It functions under the authority of the Ministry of Home Affairs of the
Government of India.
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 Motto: " और "
 Minister responsible: Amit Shah, Union Minister of Home Affairs
Books and Authors
IIT researchers to create ‘Gandhipedia’

 The National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) and IIT (Indian Institutes of Technology) Gandhinagar
and Kharagpur, have joined hands to develop Gandhipedia, an online repository of books, letters and speeches
written by Mahatma Gandhi, to commemorate his 150th birth anniversary.
 The entire project will be done with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Extra Shots:
NCSM: The National Science Centre established in 1992, is a science museum in Delhi, India. It is part of the
National Council of Science Museums, an autonomous body under India's Ministry of Culture.
‘Borderman’ yearly magazine released by Nityanand Rai

 The yearly magazine called ‘Borderman’ was released by Nityanand Rai, Minister of State for Home Affairs
on the occasion of 55th raising day of BSF (Border Security Force) organized by the Ministry of Home
Affairs.
 The 55th raising day of BSF (Border Security Force) was celebrated on the 1st of December 2019.
Extra Shots:
BSF: The Border Security Force is the border defence organisation of India. It is one of the seven Central Armed
Police Forces of India, and was raised in the wake of the 1965 War on 1 December 1965, "for ensuring the security of
the borders of India and for matters connected there with".
 Motto: (Duty Unto Death)
 Founder: Khusro Faramurz Rustamji
 Minister responsible: Amit Shah, Minister of Home Affairs
Book ‘The Legacy of Militancy in Punjab’ by Inderjit Singh Jaijee & Dona Suri released
 The book titled “The Legacy of Militancy in Punjab: Long Road to ‘Normalcy’” was released recently which
was written by civil rights activist Inderjit Singh Jaijee and journalist Dona Suri.
 This book details how militancy in Punjab affected judiciary by delaying trials, how it influenced the popular
culture and how the youth today are still responding to conditions in the northern state.
Viswanathan Anand’s autobiography ‘Mind Master: Winning Lessons from a Champion’s Life’ launched in
Chennai
 Indian chess Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand’s autobiography ‘Mind Master: Winning Lessons
from a Champion’s Life’ was released in Chennai.
 The book was authored by Viswanathan Anand and Susan Ninan and published by Hachette India.
Thawarchand Gehlot launches Braille version of ‘Exam Warriors’
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 Social Justice and Empowerment Minister launched the Braille version of the book “Exam Warriors” written
by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
 The braille version in English and Hindi has been printed by Rajasthan Netraheen Kalyan Sangh in Jaipur.
 The book contains a detailed-design of the animated picture and various yoga asanas which will let students
imagine the pictorial graphics with ease.
 The book will surely benefit visually-impaired students who face mental stress during examinations.
 It will boost the confidence level of these students and help them get success in various competitive exams.
Vice Prez released book ‘Turbulence and Triumph: The Modi Years’
 The Vice President of India Venkaiah Naidu released a book titled ‘Turbulence and Triumph: The Modi
Years’ in New Delhi.
 The book is jointly authored by Rahul Agarwal and Bharathi S Pradhan and is published by Om Books
International.
 The book is about the life journey of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi from his days as a young boy rin
Gujarat till becoming the Prime Minister of India.
A book titled “Politics of Opportunism” released by S Gurumurthy
 Noted Economist and Political Analyst S Gurumurthy released a book titled “Politics of Opportunism:
Regional Parties, Coalitions, Centre-State Relations In India”.
 The book is authored by R P N Singh. The book throws light on the subject related to rise of regional parties
and Centre-States relation.
 RNP Singh is a former officer of the Intelligence Bureau, Government of India.
 He has also earned the coveted Presidents Police Medal, Indian Police Medal, the Sukriti and Kautilya awards
for his distinguished services.
Awards and Honors

Name Award
Particles drama Golden Peacock Award at the 50th IFFI
Ajit Doval Honorary doctorate at the Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Central

University (HNBCIJ)
English author Tony Joseph 12th ‘Shakti Bhatt First Book Prize’.
Lionel Messi Ballon d'Or award
New Zealand cricket team Christopher Martin-Jenkins Spirit of Cricket award.
Arun Jaitley former Finance Minister of Economic Times (ET) Lifetime Achievement Award for Public
India Service 2019.
‘Joker’ fame Joaquin Phoenix 2019 ‘Person of the Year’ by PETA
Page 116 of 125

Mumbai Central station of Railways ‘Eat Right Station’ certification

Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty’s fitness app Google Play’s Best Apps of 2019.
“Shilpa Shetty App”
Miss South Africa Zozibini Tunzi Miss Universe 2019
Dr. Padmeswar Gogoi Siu-Ka-Pha Award
Abu Dhabi (UAE) world’s leading Sports tourism Destination

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed 2019 Nobel Peace Prize
Gulu Mirchandani “Lifetime Achievement Award” by the Consumer Electronics and
Appliances Manufacturers Association.
Author Peter Handke Nobel Literature Prize.
Sweden’s Greta Thunberg Time magazine’s Person of the Year for 2019.
Rani Rampal, Saurabh Chaudhary Top Honours at FICCI India Sports Awards
Blue Sky Analytics Space Oscars awards on the international competition Copernicus
Masters.
Gujarat police President's Colours award

Jamaica's Toni-Ann Singh Miss World
England cricketer Ben Stokes BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2019.
CBI officer BP Raju India Cyber Cop of the Year 2019

Ashleigh Barty and Rafael Nadal International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) World Champions in singles
for 2019
Aditya K. of Kozhikode, Kerala Bharat Award for bravery.
Adam Harper, Assistant Professor, SASTRA-Ramanujan Award

University of Warwick, England.
Kamareddy district of Telangana United Nations International Children’s and Education Fund
(Unicef)-2019 Award.
K VASU Young Scientist Awards and Best Research Paper award in XXXV
ISSAR National Conference
Amitabh Bachchan Dadasaheb Phalke Award
Major Anoop Mishra Army Design Bureau Excellence Award
Shashi Tharoor, Nand Kishore ACharya Sahitya Akademi Award 2019

Krish Srikkanth, Anjum Chopra CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Awards
Amitabha Bagchi DSC Prize for South Asian Literature 2019

Page 117 of 125
CBI officer B P Raju ‘India Cyber Cop of the Year 2019’

Virginian biochemist Camille Schrier Miss America 2020
Sharad Ponkshe Janakavi P Sawlaram Memorial Award
Bhalchandra Nemade and Gynanranjan ‘Akashdeep Sanman’ awards.
Awards given for short film competition on environment
 The Ministry of Environment gave away awards for a short film competition on the environment. Several
school students and professionals were awarded prizes for their documentaries and films by Ravi Agrawal,
Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment at the ceremony organised by the ministry and Centre for
Media Studies (CMS).
 Out of the 345 entries received, 90 films were nominated for screening.
 The four-day green festival was inaugurated by Member of Parliament Suresh Prabhu, who chaired the Jury.
Awards for the first ever VATAVARAN 2019 were presented

 The Awards for the first-ever VATAVARAN-2019 Short Film Competition and Festival on Environment was
presented in New Delhi.
 It was organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and Centre for
Media Studies (CMS).
The award was presented in three categories namely:
♦ School students
♦ Amateur and College students
♦ Professionals
Under School students category:
345 film entry was received and 35 was nominated
Under Amateur and College students category:
Under Professionals category:
President Kovind presented the National Florence Nightingale Awards

 The President of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind presented the National Florence Nightingale Awards to nursing
personnel in New Delhi on 5 December 2019.
 The event will be held from 5-6 December 2019.
8th National Photography Awards

 The Photo Division, under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, has invited entries for the 8th
National Photography Awards.
 The Division confers these Awards every year, to promote various facets of the country such as art, culture,
development, heritage, history, life, people, society, and tradition through the medium of photography, and to
encourage professional and amateur photographers across the country.
4 eminent diplomats honoured with 2019 ‘Diwali – Power of One Award’

 The 4 prominent diplomats have been honoured with ‘The Diwali – Power of One’ award 2019 in recognition
and celebration of their work, especially at the United Nations, for a secure and peaceful world.
The diplomats who were honoured are:
 Former foreign minister and Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to UN: Kairat Abdrakhmanov.
Page 118 of 125

 Former Permanent Representative of Cyprus to UN: Nicholas Emiliou.

 Former Chef de Cabinet to President of 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and Permanent
Representative of Slovakia to UN: Frantisek Ruzicka.
 Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN: Volodymyr Yelchenko.
Extra Shots:
The awards which have now come to be known as ‘Oscars of Diplomacy’ were established by Diwali Foundation
USA, Inc in 2017.
Asom Natya Sanmilan announced the 2019 Asom Natya Sanmilan Awards
 The Asom Natya Sanmilan has announced the annual awards of Asom Natya Sanmilan Award-2019 is
Nandeswar Saikia Auditorium, Nalbari, Assam.
 The awards were announced by Dulal Roy, president, and Bipul Chaliha, principal secretary of Asom Natya
Sanmilan.
 The awards will be presented at the 58th conference of Asom Natya Sanmilan that will be held at Nalbari in
January 2020.
Extra Shots:
Assam
 Capital:Dispur
Priyanka Chopra honoured at Marrakech Film Festival

 Indian actress Priyanka Chopra was honoured at the Marrakech Film Festival held at the famous Jemaa el Fna
square.
 Priyanka Chopra was honoured for her 20 years of work and contribution in cinema.
 Hollywood actor Robert Redford, Moroccan actress Mouna Fettou and filmmaker Bertrand Tavernier were
among other people who were honoured at the festival.
Gurgaon-based startup won ‘Space Oscar’ award
 The Gurugram-based startup blue Sky Analytics has created an application called ‘Zuri’ that won the
Copernicus Masters Award also called Space Oscars, under the Social Entrepreneurship category.
 The award was given by the Earth observation program managed by the European Commission (EU) in
partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA).
Extra Shots:
EU: The European Union is a political and economic union of 28 member states that are located primarily in Europe.
 Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Harsh Vardhan presented the UHC awards

 The Universal health coverage (UHC) Awards were awarded to the best performing Primary Healthcare teams
of States and Union Territories (UTs) on the occasion of Universal Health Coverage Day on 12 December.
 The awards were presented by the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan at an
event organized by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Minister of State for Human Resource Development Shri Sanjay Dhotre confers the National ICT Awards
2017
Page 119 of 125

 Minister of State for Human Resource Development Shri Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre conferred National ICT
Awards to 43 School Teachers for the year 2017.
 The awards are presented for the innovative integration of ICT in promoting student’s learning in New Delhi.
 Shri Sanjay Dhotre congratulated the national awardees through their commitment to school education but
also enriched the lives of their students.
Vice President of India honours winners for outstanding contributions in Films at 66th National Film Awards
 Vice President of India, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu conferred National Film Awards for the year 2018 in various
categories at its 66th edition, held at New Delhi.
 Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting (I&B), Shri Prakash Javadekar Secretary, Ministry of I&B,
Shri Ravi Mittal Chairperson, Feature Film Category, Shri Rahul Rawail; Chairperson, Non-Feature Film
Category, Shri AS Kanal; Chairperson, Best Writing on Cinema, Shri UtpalBorpujari and other dignitaries
were also present on the occasion.
AAO bestows Life Achievement honour to Dr Santosh G Honavar

 Dr Santosh G Honavar, India’s ophthalmologist is conferred with the American Academy of
Ophthalmology’s (AAO) highest award Life Achievement honour that is given to its members.
 He is the first Indian chosen for the honour.
 American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world’s largest association of eye specialists.
Science and Technology

AICTE approves IRS to rank higher educational institutions
 The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) Executive Committee approved the India Rankings
Society (IRS) to develop and evolve methodologies and systems to rank higher educational institutions.
 The decision was made at the 127th meeting of the AICTE Executive Committee.
 The announcement was made by the HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishaank'.
Extra Shots:
AICTE: The All India Council for Technical Education is the statutory body and a national-level council for
technical education, under Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development.
 Website: aicte-india.org
 Founded: November 1945
 Sector: Technology education
 Chairperson: Anil Sahasrabudhe
Mysore University to set up separate Department of Disabilities and Rehabilitation Studies

 The University of Mysore (UoM) is to set up a separate Department of Disabilities and Rehabilitation Studies
(DDRS) on its campus at Manasagangotri.
 It was approved by the University of Mysore Academic Council.
 The announcement was made by the Vice-Chancellor G Hemantha Kumar.
Page 120 of 125
 With this, UoM became the first varsity in the state to introduce the course, as per the directives of the Union
Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and the University Grants Commission (UGC).
 The University aims to help the welfare of disabled persons.
DDRS in University of Mysore:
 DDRS will come into effect from the next academic year 2019-20.
 It will be set up in the Department of Studies in Physical Education and Sports Sciences.
 The University will offer Rs.500 per month as stipend to students who join the course.
Government to introduce AI as a subject in the next academic year

 Centre has introduced Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a subject in class IX from the session 2019-20 in the
schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
 The move aims to enhance the multidisciplinary approach in teaching-learning and to sensitize the new
generation.
 The study material for teaching AI in classes VIII and IX has already been provided to schools through the
CBSE's website http://cbseacademic.nic.in/ai.html.
Extra Shots:
Central Board of Secondary Education
 Founded: 2011
 Parent organisation: Ministry of Human Resource Development
 Official language: Hindi; English
 Chairperson: Anita Karwal, IAS
ISRO to set up space technology cells in Indian premier engineering and science colleges
 The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced the setting up of five Space Technology Cells
(STCs) at India's premier engineering and science colleges.
 The Indian Space Agency aims to build new applications, conduct space research, and high-end technology.
 The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced the setting up of five Space Technology Cells
(STCs) at India's premier engineering and science colleges. The Indian Space Agency aims to build new
applications, conduct space research, and high-end technology.
Extra Shots:
Diabetic population is close to hitting alarming mark of 69.9 million by 2025 in India
 Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Homoeopathy (AYUSH)
reported that the diabetic population in the country is close to hitting the alarming marks of 69.9 million by
2025.
 It is expected to witness an increase of 266%.
 It was stated by Minister of State for Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy Shripad Naik.
Google Earth covers 98 percent of entire population
Page 121 of 125
 Search engine giant Google has revealed that its powerful mapping service, Google Earth now covers more
than 98 per cent of the world, and has captured 10 million miles of Street View imagery, a distance that could
circle the globe more than 400 times.
 Google Earth, the software that lets you browse the globe with 3D representation, right from the comfort of
your couch, offers 6 million square miles of high definition satellite images, covering more than 98 per cent of
the entire population.
Extra Shots:
A start to be named after Indian Woman Scientist
 The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has accepted to name a white-yellow star in Sextans
constellation and its Jupiter-like exoplanets. Until now, the stars were called HD 86081 and 86081b.
 The star will be named Bibha and the orbiting exoplanet will be named Santamasa, a Sanskrit term for
clouded.
 The move by IAU is aimed to bring the attention of the global countries to exoplanet research.
 Bibha: Bibha Chowdhuri is a 20th-century Indian woman physicist.
Extra Shots:
International Astronomical Union (IAU):
 Formed on: 28 July 1919
 Membership: 82 national members and 13,701 individual members
 President: Ewine van Dishoeck
 General Secretary: Maria Teresa Lago
Important Days and Themes
Day Celebrated as Theme

December 1 World AIDS Day “Communities make the difference”.
December 2 International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
December 2 National Pollution Control Day
December 3 International Day of Persons with Disabilities Promoting the Participation of

Page 122 of 125
Persons with Disabilities and their

leadership: Taking Action on the 2030
Development Agenda.
December 4 Navy Day
December 5. International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social “Volunteer for an inclusive future”
Development
December 6 Civil Defence Day
December 7 Armed Forces Flag Day
December 7 International Civil Aviation Day. 75 years of connecting the world”.
December 9 United Nations’ (UN) International Anti-Corruption United against Corruption

Day
December 9 International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of
the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the
Prevention of this crime
December 10 Human Rights Day “Youth Standing Up for Human

Rights”.
December 11 International Mountain Day “Mountains Matter for Youth”.

December 12 International Day of Neutrality is a United Nations
observance
December 12 International Universal Health Coverage Day (UHC “Keep the promise”
Day)
December 14 National Energy Conservation Day

December 16 Vijay Diwas
December 18 International Migrants Day
December 18 World Arabic Language Day Arabic Language and Artificial
Intelligence (AI)
December 20 International Human Solidarity Day
December 22 National Mathematics Day

December 23 National Farmers Day
December 24 National Consumer Day “ alternate consumer

grievance/dispute redressal”.
Obituary
Page 123 of 125
Name Field Belongs to

Shelley Morrison Hollywood actress New York
Baskar Menon Veteran Journalist in the Press Trust of Kerala
India (PTI)
Bob Willis Former England Cricket captain United Kingdom
George Laurer Inventor of the barcode New York, US
Braj Bihari Kumar Chairman of Indian Council of Social
Science Research (ICSSR)
Paul Volcker former US Federal Reserve chief New Jersey, US
Tara Sinha founder of ad agencies Clarion and
Tara Sinha Associates
Brad Gobright rock climber California, US
Tukaram Dighole Former Maharashtra minister Maharashtra
Laxminarayan Nayak centenarian freedom fighter and Madhya Pradesh
former MP
Paramananda Sahu Odisha theatre artist Odisha
Irving Burgie US songwriter New York, US
Bhawani Mukherji Former India Table tennis head coach
Gollapudi Maruti Rao Telugu actor and writer Andhra Pradesh
Sir Peter George Snell New zealand Olympic Athletic New Zealand
champion
Shriram Lagoo Actor Maharashtra
Gita Siddharth Kak Actress
ID Swami Former Union Minister Haryana
Thomas Chandy Kerala Minister Kerala
LS Seshagiri Kannada writer and critic Karnataka
Vidhusi Savita Devi Hindustani classical Vocalist India
Ganga Prasad Hindi Writer Uttarakhand
Martin Peters Midfielder- England London, UK
Da Chen Storyteller, Author- China China
Allee Willis American Songwriter Michigan, US
Vikas Sabnis Cartoonist Mumbai
Vishwesha Tirtha Swami Guruji
Anna Karina French Actress Denmark
Thomas Chandy Former Kerala Minister Kerala
Page 124 of 125

Chandrakanth Karadalli Children’s book writer

Ramachandran Babu Cinematographer Tamil Nadu
Don Imus Radio Host California, US
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12. Books and Authors 115

13. Awards 116

14. Science and Technology 120

15. Important Days and Themes 122

16. Obituaries 124

Banking Current Affairs

5th Bi-Monthly Monetary Policy

HDFC ERGO launches my:health Woman Suraksha policy

NEFT transactions to be made 24×7 from December 16

RBI released Guidelines for on tap Licensing of SFBs

Kerala Bank was launched by CM Vijayan

Loans worth over Rs10 lakh cr sanctioned under PMMY

SBI reduced MCLR by 10bps

IRDAI frames 10-member group headed by T. L. Alamelu to study loss prevention

IEPFA signs MOU with Bank of Baroda for Investor Awareness

RBI increases peer-to-peer lending limit from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh

Dell Technologies, UNESCO tie up to boost quality of education

Nomura to acquire Greentech Capital Advisors

Google searches for ‘Operation Twist’ surge in India

RBI to buy and sell govt bonds worth Rs 10,000 crore

HDFC Bank becomes third Indian company to cross $100 billion-mark

Bank Of Baroda Partners With Gujarat Govt To Provide MSME Loans

ADB 490 million dollars loan to upgrade Indian state roads

 Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata

Karnataka Bank launches tab banking service

Finance Minister launches an e-auction platform “eBkray”

HDFC Life partners with Paytm to expand its distribution

 Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata

Andhra Bank receives best performing bank award

 Founded: 1 April 1935, Kolkata

Deputy Governors: B P Kanungo, M K Jain, N S Vishwanathan

Finance and Economy

MSME sector has contributed over 29 percent of GDP

India’s forex reserves crossed $450 billion

NSE launches interest rate options on 10-yr govt bonds

Airtel launches Wi-Fi calling service in Delhi-NCR

ADB lowers India’s GDP growth forecast to 5.1% in FY20

Xiaomi launches service “Mi Credit” in India for Android phones

NTPC signs pact for Rs. 5,000 crores with SBI

Moody’s slashes India’s GDP growth forecast to 5.6% for 2019

Net surplus revenue decreased by 66.10 pc to Rs 1,665.61 cr in 2017-18: CAG

Wipro launches next-gen cybersecurity defence centre in Melbourne

ADB, ACAMS partner to improve anti-money laundering capacities in developing Asia

Wipro launches next-gen cybersecurity defence centre in Melbourne

ADB, ACAMS partner to improve anti-money laundering capacities in developing Asia

I-T Department mandates linking of PAN with Aadhaar

Amazon’s Audible launches app “Audible Suno” in India

Infosys launches blockchain powered distributed applications

Wipro to launch skilling platform to train 10,000 engineering students

 It is a part of Wipro's Corporate Social Responsibility program, TalentNext.

Mastercard signs agreement to acquire RiskReckon

Mastercard picks BharatPe for its Start Path program

RIL beats Indian Oil to be number one player by revenue

Sebi signs pact with Kazakhstan-based AFSA for mutual co-operation

RBI caps lending on P2P platforms at Rs 50 lakh

Bank Gross NPA Ratio Of SCB’s Decline In 2019: RBI Report

India’s financial system stable despite weakening domestic growth: RBI

India ranks 47th globally in home price appreciation: Knight Frank

IMF retains India’s FY20 GDP growth rate forecast at 6.1%

India set to cross 100-GW renewable energy capacity mark in 2020